Hockey: Youth policy proves Wright for England

Australia 2

England 4

England achieved a historic victory over Australia in Perth in the second of their two match Test series and, with Jane Sixsmith and Karen Brown out injured, coach Maggie Souyave's youth policy reaped rich rewards.

Captained by 19-year-old Kirsty Bowden and, with schoolgirl Lucilla Wright scoring twice, England were in the driving seat after Sarah Blanks ended a 35-yard dash with the opening goal in the seventh minute. Australia, through Karen Smith and Kelly Free, twice pegged England back, to make it 2-2 at halftime after Purdy Miller had scored England's second.

Australia bombarded the England defence in the second half but found it in form. Wright scored the first of her two goals at a penalty corner in the 50th minute and then two minutes from time sealed the victory.

Souyave, savouring England's first win against Australia since 1986, said: "The victory emphasises the great strides England have made during the tour It is brilliant to beat the Australians and great for English hockey."

ENGLAND: H Rose (Univ of Massachusetts); J Empson (Canterbury), M Clewlow (Canterbury), J Mould (Leicester), L Copeland (Slough); L Wright (Olton), K Bowden ((Leicester, capt), F Greenham (Olton); S Blanks (Leicester), J Smith (Slough) P Miller (Leicester). Substitutes used: T Cullen (Hightown), K Moore (Olton), J Bimson (Loughborough Students), C Reid (Hightown).

AUSTRALIA: C Maitland; R Garrard Capt., K Allen, T Cole, B Morrison, B Netzler, K Starre, K Smith, M Andrews, A Annan, N Mott. Substitutes used: K Free, C Ringrose, A Peek, J Haslam.