Hockey: England rely on late strike from Clewlow to deny Kiwis

England had to settle for a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening group game here yesterday, in a contest in which they showed plenty of courage, particularly in the closing minutes.

England opened confidently enough with a couple of penalty corners inside the opening minutes and generally controlled the early exchanges. On the counter-attack, however, the Kiwis gave notice of their potential threat.

Midway through the first half, Hilary Rose was equal to a powerful penalty-corner shot. Her clearance sent England away on the break with Jane Smith shooting wide, as did another England penalty corner. They then opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Mel Clewlow's powerful shot from a penalty corner was well blocked by Helen Clarke, but the New Zealand goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Helen Grant's follow-up from going in. The half finished with New Zealand's Suzie Pearce and England's Grant being sent to the sin-bin.

New Zealand stepped up the pressure on England on the resumption, only to be relieved by strong defensive play from Kate Walsh. Then a harmless ball in midfield was mis-trapped by Clewlow, allowing Niniwa Roberts-Lang to latch on to the loose ball. She drove into the circle before shooting into the roof of the net to equalise.

As the game progressed it was the fast-moving Kiwi forwards who troubled England's defence. And it was from poor defending at a penalty-corner that allowed Michelle Turner to put New Zealand into the lead. England's equaliser, also from a corner, came four minutes later through Clewlow, who unleashed a stinging shot.

As the game went into the closing minutes there were plenty of chances at both ends with Leisa King's shot against the upright, after a great pass from Anna Bennett, well worthy of the winner.

Earlier in the day the hockey programme got under way with the defending champions, Australia, playing Scotland. The Scots held the champions for the first 28 minutes, before eventually going down 3-0.

England: H Rose; M Nicholson, M Clewlow, K Walsh; H Richardson, J Bimson; L Wright, L King, S Blanks; J Smith (capt), J Ellis. Substitutes used: H Grant, R Walker, A Bennett, F Houslop.

New Zealand: H Clarke (capt); S Bennett; P Enoka, R Sutherland, C Paewai; M Turner, S Pearce, D Weavers; J Provan, C Gubb-Suddaby, M Senior. Substitutes used: T Drysdale, A Christie, N Roberts-Lang, R Robertson.

Umpires: M De Klerk (SA) and J Ashton-Lucy (Aus).