Hockey: Aussies power past neighbours

Australia, who were being watched by Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, retained their Commonwealth Games men's title in Manchester yesterday with a powerful 5-2 victory against New Zealand. Pakistan beat South Africa 10-2 to take the bronze.

The Kiwis more than held their own against Australia until denied, temporarily, of the services of their captain Simon Towns with a hand injury. But the defending champions sealed their win with a three-goal blitz midway through the first half and, leading 4-0 at the interval, the second half was something of a formality – Jamie Dwyer completing his hat-trick to add to goals from Troy Elder and Craig Victory. New Zealand's response came from Phillip Burrows and Hayden Shaw.

In the bronze medal game, five goals by Sohail Abbas from five penalty corner attempts restored some Pakistan pride following their 7-1 semi-final humiliation by New Zealand last Friday.

Earlier goals from Abbas and Muhammad Shabbir had put Pakistan in the driving seat, before Gregg Clark and Emile Smith levelled the scores 27 minutes into the half. Just as South Africa recovered their composure, Abbas flashed in two more goals for a 4-2 scoreline. Pakistan completely dominated the second half, scoring another six goals and seeing Abbas missing a penalty stroke in the closing seconds.

England had to settle for their second successive silver medal after the women's competition ended in chaos and controversy.

The host nation had been locked at 2-2 with India at the end of normal time, but Mamta Kharab scored a golden goal from a penalty corner right at the end of the first period of extra time, giving India the gold medal.

But England immediately protested that the hooter had sounded to end the half and that New Zealand umpire Lyn Farrell had blown the whistle before the ball had crossed the line. The Scottish technical delegate, Evlyn Raistrick, ruled against England, who then briefly appealed against her decision, only to withdraw it in the interests of the "Friendly Games".

A bitterly disappointed England coach Tricia Heberle said: "It's a difficult way to lose a match, let alone a gold medal match. But we have to accept the umpire's decision.

"I feel proud of the girls, not just for their performance today, but throughout the tournament. There is a lot to be excited about with this parti-cular England team."

None of this utter confusion would have happened had England scored just one more goal from the chances they created in the game proper.

After dominating the first 21 minutes, they allowed Kharab to score the first of her two goals and Sita Gunnain piled on the agony when she put India further ahead in the 30th minute. England pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time, when captain Sarah Blanks dived in to prod home.

India defended heroically against England's continued pressure in the second half, but conceded the equaliser in the 45th minute – Jane Smith's shot deflected into the goal by Helen Grant. But India hung on to force extra time and the controversial finish – not the first time tournament officials have proved inadequate.