Australia’s Oceania triumph

The Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams have defeated New Zealand in their respective finals to reign supreme at the 2013 Oceania Championships.

The Australian women’s team, featuring NSWIS athletes Casey Eastham, Kate Jenner, Emily Smith, Mathilda Carmichael and Kellie White, got the best of their trans-Tasman rivals in a tense penalty shootout.

With scores locked at 2-2 after full time, both teams scored their opening penalties before Australia moved 2-1 ahead after two penalties each. After a further two misses from each team the penalties moved into sudden death, with White slotting a penalty to see the Hockeyroos go ahead 5-4, with the title then being secured after a final New Zealand miss.

The Australian men’s team, featuring NSWIS athletes Matthew Butturini and Simon Orchard, faced an easier time of it in their win over New Zealand.

The Kookaburras led 2-0 heading into the half-time break, before a further three goals sealed a 5-2 win and the Oceania crown.