Double dose of hockey magic in Melbourne

The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos have combined to give Australia a pair of victories at the inaugural International Festival of Hockey at the State Netball Hockey Centre in Melbourne.

With NSWIS players Matthew Dawson, Flynn Ogilvie, Matthew Willis and Tristan White starting and Ben Craig and Kieran Govers coming off the bench, the Kookaburras were too good for the New Zealand Black Sticks, winning the final 3 – 1.

The Australians led throughout the spirited clash but with the game in the balance at 2-1 in the dying moments, Govers made an excellent tackle to steal the ball back from the Black Sticks in the Australian circle.

The 2016 Olympian then passed to Jeremy Hayward at the top of the circle, whose powerful reverse flick hit the top middle of the net and secured the 3 – 1 win for the Kookaburras.

The Kookaburras and India now head to Bendigo for a two-game test which takes place on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 November.

Meanwhile, the Hockeyroos scored their own 3-1 victory over India.

The Indian Eves opened the scoring, with captain Vandana Katariva flicking in a field goal in the 17th minute, but from there it was all Australia with Brooke Peris 39 (PC), Gabi Nance 41 (PC) and Jordyn Holzberger 58 (FG) all scoring.

For the NSWIS, starters Mathilda Carmichael and Georgina Morgan, along with substitutes Jocelyn Bartram and Tamsin Bunt all contributed to the win.

The Hockeyroos and Kookaburras all wore ‘Fair go, sport!’ rainbow coloured socks during the match to support equality in sport, and to promote safe and inclusive sporting environments by promoting awareness and understanding of sexuality and gender diversity.

(PIC: Hockey Australia)