Sports Bulletin Report
Birmingham (UK):-The morning session began with Wales’s women wrapping up their first points of the games, followed by Scotland’s women putting 11 past Kenya. The afternoon got off to a thrilling start as South Africa’s men edged an incredible game with Scotland, while England’s men pulled off a remarkable comeback against India. In the evening session Canada’s men rescued a point against Ghana and Australia made a real statement of intent by crushing New Zealand.
New Zealand 2 Australia 7 (Pool A men)
Australia made a huge statement, crushing New Zealand to send themselves to the top of Pool A.
The Kookaburras made a fast start to their second match of the tournament, with the game just 8 minutes old when a Jacob Anderson pass took a couple of deflections before making its way in. A couple more chances fell the way of the Aussies but George Enersen in the New Zealand goal stood firm.
The Black Sticks men hit back just 2 minutes into the second period, Hugo Inglis with the strike to level the tie. Not to be deterred, 5 minutes later Australia were back in front via Blake Govers firing a drag flick in following a penalty corner. Just a couple of minutes later Govers was at it again, extending the Kookaburras’ lead to 3-1. There was still time for Australia to add another, Jake Whetton slamming in.
As the second half got underway it was time for Nathan Ephraums to get in on the action, scoring high into the net. To their credit New Zealand continued to search for a way back into the game and got their reward when Jake Smith pulled one back for the Black Sticks. However, any thoughts of a fairy-tale comeback were dealt a cruel blow when Aran Zalewski scooped in to leave the score reading 6-2 as the teams took their final break.
Zalewski picked up where he left of in the third quarter, turning the ball into the goal after a powerful Whetton effort. That was to prove to be the end of the scoring in the game as Australia sent out a warning message to any medal hopefuls.
Results (Women's Competition):
Wales 4 Ghana 0 (Pool A women)
Umpires: Binish Hayat (PAK) Rebecca Woodcock (ENG) Lelia Sacre (CAN-video)
Scotland 11 Kenya 0 (Pool B women)
Umpires: Hannah Harrison (ENG) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS) Cathy Wright (WAL-video)
Results (Men’s Competition):
Scotland 4 South Africa 5 (Pool A men)
Umpires: Nick Bennett (ENG) Stephen Rogers (AUS) Daniel Barstow (ENG-video)
England 4 India 4 (Pool B men)
Umpires: David Tomlinson (NZL) Sean Rapaport (RSA) Tyler Klenk (CAN)
Ghana 1 Canada 1 (Pool B men)
Umpires: Deepak Chandra Joshi (IND) Peter Obalo Kabaso (KEN) Fraser Bell (SCO-video)
New Zealand 2 Australia 7 (Pool A men)
Umpires: Daniel Barstow (ENG) Ilanggo Kanabathu (MAS) Bruce Bale (ENG-video)
