Australia in the fourth consecutive Final

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Australia kept up its top billing, and made it their fourth consecutive Common Wealth Games hockey final after a sterling semifinal show at Delhi.

Braving the heat, both from above the Sky and also from the fighting Kiwis, Australia shone in both halves, scoring three goals in each, to outwit neighbours 6-2 to take their appointed slot.

Simon Orchid scored the fist and last goal, inbetween Glenn Turner posted a brace.

Other scorer for the winners include Des Abbot and Jason Wilson.

Simon Orchard opened the floodgates in the 25th minute after New Zealand’s Simon Child made mess of a open chance at the goalmouth.

The match started on a brisk note, Australians having better of the exchanges. However, the scoreboard did not move till the 25th minute.

Australia started their campaign on a brisk note, getting three penalty corners in the first quarter, but New Zealand defence and goalie Kyle Pontiflex in particular did not give any leeway.

During the third penalty corner drill, Des Abbot collected the rebound, pased to Glen Turner, who effected a waist high scopp, but Kyle jumped to his right and stopped it.

Shortly later, Simon Orchard collected a reoubnd at the left top of the circle, from where he whacked to the right of the goalie for the first goal.

Its then Glen Turner’s turn who defected a freehit three minutes later to take Australia 2-0.

Four minutes before the half time, Jason Wilson sent bullet like shot from right corner of the circle after he got a lose ball from 25-yard area (3-0).

On resumption, when Des Abbot scored a goal in the 43rd minute, it seemed the Australians are on a non-stop rampage, the Kiwis have given up, but credit to them, the Kiwis came up with renewed vigour and made the Aussies’ sweat.

The ten minutes between 50th and 60th minutes was their; they struck twice, giving a hope fo great fight back, which of course was not to be.

Australian attacks thereafter came in cascades. Glen Turner again scored a goal in the 67th minute, the fifth one before Simon Orchard struck his second and the team’s sixth seconds remained from the hooter.

The scorer list

1-0 Simon Orchard 25 Fg
2-0 Glenn Turner 28 Fg
3-0 Jason Wilson 31 Fg
4-0 Des Abbot 43 Fg
4-1 Blair Hilton 51 Fg
4-2 Phil Burrows 60 Fg
5-2 Glenn Turner 67 Fg
6-2 Simon Orchard 70 Fg