Ruthless Kookaburras do demolition job on Scotland
Published Sun 31 Jul 2022
The world number one ranked Kookaburras have sent an ominous warning to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games men’s hockey contenders with a 12-0 dismantling of Scotland.
Jeremy Hayward had a day out scoring four goals. Tim Brand, Tom Wickham and Nathan Ephraums found the net twice, while Blake Govers and Josh Simmonds also finished on the score sheet.
Aiming to win Australia’s seventh straight Commonwealth Games men’s hockey gold medal, the Kookaburras were merciless against a Scotland side that drew 5-5 with New Zealand in their opening match.
The Scots started confidently, Andy Bull firing an early warning shot that flashed just wide.
However, after Jacob Anderson did well to earn the Kookaburras their first penalty corner in the 9th minute it was all one way traffic.
Govers executed his drag flick with perfection into the top right corner to start the onslaught.
Brand then showed outstanding persistence and touch in close to knock in his first through the legs of Scotland goalkeeper David Forrester to make it 2-0.
In the blink of an eye it was a three goal advantage when Hayward cannoned his drag flick into the backboard.
Wickham enjoyed a purple patch as he scored twice in as many minutes, firstly after an assist from Simmonds before Aran Zalewski toyed with the Scottish defence to allow the Kookaburras’ number 5 to dribble the ball along the baseline before seeing his effort finish over the goal line.
Hayward scored his second from another penalty corner and the Kookaburras took a 6-0 lead into half time.
The Australians continued their relentless approach in the second half. Josh Beltz played a one-two with Eddie Ockenden down the left before directing the ball in and Brand was perfectly positioned to knock in his second.
The Kookaburras’ lethal penalty corner battery was then at it again, this time Simmonds got in on the act with another high quality drag flick.
Ephraums became the 50th Kookaburra to score at the Commonwealth Games as he scored arguably the goal of the match when he expertly swatted in a ball travelling at speed from Beltz.
Hayward claimed his hat-trick to bring up the double figures for the Kookaburras.
The Kookaburras were forced to defend a string of Scotland penalty corners but goalkeeper Johan Durst, who replaced Andrew Charter at half time, repelled any threat.
A Kookaburras penalty corner variation saw Matt Dawson fire the ball in at speed for Ephraums who brilliantly deflected the ball home.
Fittingly, it was Hayward who put the exclamation mark on a comprehensive drubbing with his fourth from another superbly executed drag flick.
Durst produced a fine save from a goal bound drag flick to ensure the shut out as the Kookaburras now turn their focus to a clash with Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand tomorrow at 9.00pm local time (6.00am AEST Tuesday 2 August).
“We were a bit nervous to begin with, so we did our homework and planning and executed pretty well in the end,” said Hayward.
“We didn’t take Scotland lightly, we did our due diligence and did well.”
For Ephraums, competing in his first Commonwealth Games, scoring twice was a moment to savour.
“The first game for me in a Commonwealth Games, it was unreal to be a part of,” said Ephraums.
“It was a great atmosphere and personally, to come away with two goals was awesome. For us it is sticking to what we know we do well.”
Catch all the hockey from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on Seven and 7plus.
Commonwealth Games Australia website
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games website
Match Details
Kookaburras 12 (Govers 9’, Brand 13’/32’, Hayward 13’/25’/37’/52’, Wickham 16’/18’, Simmonds 34’, Ephraums 35’/50’)
Scotland 0
@ University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre
Kookaburras: 4.Jake Harvie, 5.Tom Wickham, 6.Matt Dawson, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 8.Johan Durst (gk), 9.Jacob Anderson, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden (c), 12.Jake Whetton, 13.Blake Govers, 15.Josh Simmonds, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 23.Daniel Beale, 29.Tim Brand, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 32.Jeremy Hayward
