Hockey: Australia capitalise in attack

IN a highly competitive game at Bisham Abbey yesterday Australia, who arrived fresh from two victories against Belgium at the weekend, showed superior shooting skills to win 2-0.

England opened brightly with Chris Mayer's speed - causing considerable problems for the Australian defence.

However, after England had squandered their first penalty corner, the Australians opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Stuart Carruthers' blistering shot took a deflection and beat Simon Mason in England's goal.

Undeterred by this setback, England continued to create a number of chances but it was alarming to see how easily Australia, on the counter-attack, could break through the English defence. Only a brave save from Mason at the edge of his circle prevented Lachlan Elmer from putting Australia further ahead when the burly forward burst through England's line.

In the dying seconds, Jay Stacy broke down the right for Australia and, although the substitute, Dave Luckes, saved the first shot, he was unable to stop Hager's follow- up for the second goal.

ENGLAND: S Mason (Firebrands); P McGuire (Teddington), J Halls (Old Loughtonians); A Humphrey (Hull), Soma Singh (Southgate), S Hazlitt (Hounslow); C Mayer (Cannock), R Garcia (Polo Barcelona), T Thompson (Hounslow), J Laslett (capt) (Teddington), J Lee (East Grinstead). Substitutes used: D Williams (Havant), D Luckes (East Grinstead), M Sutton (Bournville) and N Thompson (Old Loughtonians).

AUSTRALIA: D Diletti; J Duff, S Carruthers; B Garrard, P Gaudoin, A Carey; L Bodimeade, P Lewis, M Hager (capt), L Elmer, G Corbitt. Substitute used: J Stacy.

Umpires: A Hoyes and J Halfacre (both Eng).