By TERRY MADDAFORD
Three goals in each half laid the foundation for the Great Britain men's hockey team's comfortable 6-2 win over New Zealand in the first of the three-test series in Whangarei last night.
The visitors raced to 3-0 inside half an hour before debutante Phillip Burrows got one back and
Greg Russ grabbed another to close the gap before halftime.
But the Britons, with the benefit of a warm-up tour in Australia - and ranked sixth in the world compared with New Zealand's 10th - finished strongly to complete their deserved victory over a New Zealand team having their first outing in eight months.
Ben Sharpe opened the scoring after just 11 minutes before stand-in New Zealand captain John Radovonich, in his 100th international, despaired at having two drag flicks well saved.
Mark Pearn, in his 73rd international, scored a good individual goal in the 29th minute for 2-0. A minute later Sharpe netted his second after dispossessing Andrew Buckley and racing away to fire his shot into the roof of the goal.
Obviously pleased with their work in the first half hour, the British looked towards the halftime break and a handy lead.
But, with the first half winding down, New Zealand coach Robin Wilson chose to pitch Burrows into action.
From virtually his first touch, the Wellington attacker deflected home a shot - which was going wide - from Ryan Archibald.
Right on halftime, the home side won the ball, played a quick interchange with Bevan Hari who sent Russ away to close the gap.
The second spell belonged to the visitors with penalty corner specialist Calum Giles scoring two and Danny Hall one as Great Britain shut the Kiwis out.
Wilson admitted he was a "bit disappointed" at the result.
"We were lucky to be in touch at halftime," said Wilson.
"We had some chances we did not take. They were too good for us on the day but I'm sure there is room for improvement."
Wilson said Burrows had had a solid debut and was likely to get a start in at least one of the remaining tests - at Lloyd Elsmore Park tomorrow and Rosedale Park on Sunday.
