Kookaburras clinch series over improved Blacksticks

The Kookaburras have an unassailable lead in the Trans-Tasman Series after winning the third match 4-2 against New Zealand.

After convincing victories in the opening two games, the Kookaburras made a fast start in front of a packed house in Palmerston North, going 2-0 up inside eight minutes.

Off a midfield turnover, Blake Govers produced a clever jink to an overlapping Jake Harvie and he found an unmarked Trent Mitton at the far post who guided the ball home.

A minute later Jeremy Hayward had his second goal in as many games with another powerful drag flick that slammed into the backboard.

New Zealand had their first half chance with four minutes to go in the first quarter before Blacksticks goalkeeper Leon Hayward was the only thing standing in the way of Lachlan Sharp making it 3-0.

Blacksticks drag flick specialist Kane Russell pegged a goal back for the hosts in the 20th minute but the Kookaburras had to wait less than 60 seconds to restore their two goal lead when Sharp won a penalty stroke that Govers duly converted.

The Blacksticks were afforded some respite when Sharp received a yellow card and 5 minute sit down for foiling a counter attack and the Kookaburras were then reduced to nine players when Tom Wickham also saw yellow.

Oliver MacIntyre took advantage as he again struck from a penalty corner to leave the contest delicately poised 3-2 at half time.

Six minutes into the third quarter young Victorian Nathan Ephraums scored his second Kookaburras goal and his second of the series with a classy behind the back deflection after Jeremy Hayward drilled a ball in after a penalty corner injection.

Hayward went low and left again with a penalty corner to start the last quarter but he could not convert as neither side was able to add anything further to the scoreline.

The fourth and final game of the series is on Tuesday.

Match Details
Kookaburras 4 (Mitton 7’, Hayward 8’, Govers 20’, Ephraums 36’)
New Zealand 2 (Russell 20’, MacIntyre 26’)
@ Massey University Turf

Kookaburras: 1.Lachlan Sharp, 4.Jake Harvie, 5.Tom Wickham, 6.Matthew Dawson, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden (c), 12.Jake Whetton, 13.Blake Govers, 14.Dylan Martin, 16.Tim Howard, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 23.Daniel Beale, 25.Trent Mitton, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 32.Jeremy Hayward
Unused Substitutes: 9.Jacob Anderson, 24.Tyler Lovell (gk)

New Zealand: 2.Oliver MacIntyre, 3.David Brydon, 4.Dane Lett, 10.Steve Edwards, 11.Jake Smith, 12.Sam Lane, 14.Jared Panchia, 21.Kane Russell, 22.Blair Tarrant (c), 23.Dylan Thomas, 24.Sean Findlay, 25.Shea McAleese, 28.Dominic Newman, 29.Hugo Inglis, 30.George Muir, 32.Nick Wilson, 34.Leon Hayward (gk)
Unused Substitutes: 15.George Enersen (gk)