Hayward double doubles Kookas series lead

The Kookaburras have claimed a second win in the 4-match Trans-Tasman series, defeating the Black Sticks 4-0 in Auckland on Thursday evening.

It was a cold, wet, and windy day in New Zealand for the second test of the series, but the weather largely cleared in time for push-back as the Kookaburras set about their task with an aggressive start.

Blake Govers earned the first penalty corner of the night with some patient play to find a foot in the left circle pocket. Jeremy Hayward duly converted with a low direct drag-flick between the goalkeeper’s legs to have Australia on the board early.

A second penalty corner just a minute later saw Hayward flick again, but this time Dixon made the save in the New Zealand net and saw his rebound clearance create a swift counter-attack, with Sam Hiha making a circle entry for Kingstone on the spot, who saw his deflection go safely wide.

Both sides created half-chances at either end without much luck until the 11th minute when Tim Brand made a strong attacking circle entry and earned a penalty corner after a video review.

Govers took the drag-flick this time and despite his shot drawing a good save from Dixon, the rebound fell directly into the path of a fast-swooping Nathan Ephraums, who fired in a quick shot on his reverse high into the net for the Kookaburras’ second.

The second quarter saw the Black Sticks slow the game down and attempt to control possession, allowing them to create cleaner attacking efforts but Eddie Ockenden, playing in a defensive role, dominated the back-half for Australia.

A series of penalty corners for New Zealand after the 20th minute had Oliver MacIntyre testing Ben Rennie in the Australian net, but the keeper – in just his third international – made several comfortable saves to shut down every attempt.

After the main break, the Kookaburras started the second half much like they started the match, with plenty of speed and aggression.

Hayward combined with Josh Simmonds to earn Australia’s fifth penalty corner in the 31st minute, which Hayward converted for his second of the match – another drag-flick, but this time high, drawing a stick-save from Dixon but still travelling into the net to give the Kookaburras a 3-0 lead.

A battle for midfield control followed, with Australia largely coming out on top, as several green cards were given to both sides for physical play. Another penalty corner for the Kookaburras in the 42nd minute broke the pattern of play, as Hayward and Govers switched castles mid-push-out for Govers to flick perfectly high into the top left corner of the net for their fourth goal.

The Black Sticks continued to press their case, but after substituting on at half-time, goalkeeper Andrew Charter made several comfortable saves to prevent losing the clean sheet.

New Zealand’s best chance came in the 46th minute after some brilliant midfield play by Sean Findlay allowed Hiha to squeeze a shot from the top of the circle, only for Charter to again make a comfortable save.

The match ended 4-0 to the Kookaburras just as the rain started falling heavily on the National Hockey Centre, and Australia take their two-nil series lead into the third test this Saturday.

Match Details
New Zealand 0
Kookaburras 4 (Hayward 4’/31’, Ephraums 11’, Govers 42’)
@ National Hockey Centre, Auckland

Kookaburras: 4.Jake Harvie, 5.Tom Wickham, 6.Matt Dawson, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 12.Jake Whetton, 13.Blake Govers, 15.Josh Simmonds, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski (c), 18.Ben Rennie (gk), 20.Ky Willott, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 23.Daniel Beale, 29.Tim Brand, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 32.Jeremy Hayward

Team Line-ups