By TERRY MADDAFORD in Christchurch
A Hayden Shaw hat-trick just failed to give New Zealand the start they were so desperately seeking as they went down 4-3 to Australia in the first of three Oceania Cup matches at Porritt Park last night.
A game of two halves took on a new meaning
as the visitors took a 4-2 halftime lead but did not score in the second half. Shaw's third goal, scored less than three minutes from time, gave New Zealand hope, but the savvy Australians were not going to give this one away.
New Zealand, who took time to settle and played most of the second half without captain and centre-half Simon Towns, matched their higher-rated opponents for much of the game save for seven minutes late in the first half when Australia scored three, with two from open play.
The home team was happy to play through both flanks, but much of their good lead-up work from Towns, Ryan Archibald, Wayne McIndoe and Blair Hopping was met with a stern defensive effort from the Australians, captain Paul Gaudoin, celebrating his 226th international and showing all his experience at right half.
In scoring three of their four goals from the field, the Australians capitalised on some hesitant New Zealand play in front of goal.
After a sometimes shaky first half effort, goalkeeper Paul Woolford was outstanding in the second half, denying the Australians with a couple of superb saves.
In scoring from three of their five penalty corners - the Australians managed one from four - New Zealand, or at least Shaw, showed just how important that set play is at this level.
If they could have converted some of the half chances they did create in open play to goals, New Zealand would have had a chance of squaring the series in Wellington this Saturday.
The visitors needed only five minutes to open the scoring.
Capitalising on tentative defence, Nathan Eglington, from high in the circle, fired in a shot that unsighted Woolford failed to stop.
New Zealand forced the first of three first-half penalty corners inside 12 minutes. A minute later Shaw was on target from a second penalty corner.
Heartened by that, the home side pressed but failed to turn possession into scoring opportunities.
Accepting that, the Australians regained the lead in the 22nd minute when captain Gaudion scored from their only penalty corner of the first spell.
Two goals within three minutes then allowed the visitors to race to 4-1 before Shaw flicked home his second to close the gap before the break.
Play was end-to-end in the second spell until Shaw's late effort.
Australia have one foot in the Olympic door, but New Zealand would have taken plenty of heart for the way they battled.
The second and third tests will be played in Wellington.
First test: New Zealand 3 (H. Shaw 3)
Australia 4 (N. Eglington, P. Gaudoin, G. Schubert, A. Smith).
Halftime: 2-4.
By TERRY MADDAFORD in Christchurch
A Hayden Shaw hat-trick just failed to give New Zealand the start they were so desperately seeking as they went down 4-3 to Australia in the first of three Oceania Cup matches at Porritt Park last night.
A game of two halves took on a new meaning
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