Australian Country Teams (U-21) defeat New Zealand Maori Hockey
The Hockey Australia (HA) Country Teams fought hardly against New Zealand Maoris at Rotorua. The Men's and Women's HA Country Teams, which are currently visiting New Zealand, defeated the host Men's and Women's Maoris in their respective matches.
Hockey Australia Country Teams represent the Under-21 teams of Australia, while New Zealand Maoris Hockey represents the Under-21 squads of New Zealand.
(Women) Hockey Australia Country Team takes New Zealand Maori down by 6-3
In the first game of the day, the women’s squad of Australia showed an outstanding performance and won the game by impressive three points, 6-3. The weather was not good and match was played in quite deteriorating situation. However, scores of people witnessed
the one-sided game in the rain pour. The two sides applied aggressive strategies from the very start of the game in order to score a go-ahead goal.
Melissa Crossman, the custodian of the Maori Hockey Team, along with Mel Greer and Talei Stoll played the game quite maturely and made numerous saves. In the first half of play, the ball mostly remained under the sticks of Maori Team players. However, they
failed to capitalise the opportunities.
In the second half action, the visiting team took the game under their control and marked six goals against the three of their competitors. Christie Underwood and Amanda Saladine scored two goals each, while Kristy Conroy and Kath Meser added one point and
made the convincing victory possible for Hockey Australia Country Team, 6-3.
(Men) Hockey Australia Country Team takes New Zealand Maori down by 6-1
In the same deteriorating weather, the Men’s Hockey Australia Country Team took New Zealand Maoris down by five goals, 6-1.
From the very first minute of the game, the visiting team of Australia adopted offensive policies. Tristan Hunt, in the early minutes of the first half, scored a goal from the field and put Country Team ahead on the score-board. The players from Australia
remained confident and continued the strikes throughout the game.
Besides Hunt, Cory Letts, John Fernance, Todd Harmsworth, Jeremy Payne, Matt Sawyer and Jaden Ekert scored one goal apiece and secured a commanding triumph. On the other hand, the resilient defence of Country Team kept the host squad far away from the score-board.
New Zealand Maori only scored once in the 70 minutes action. With two victories in the hands, the positions of the Hockey Australia Country Teams have been improved in the tournament.
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