Kookas In Pole Position
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday March 18, 2006
THE Kookaburras' quest for world domination took another small step last night, an emphatic win over Scotland and losses for two major rivals pointing Australia towards a third Commonwealth Games gold medal. While the Australians will not often measure themselves against Scotland on their way to the Beijing Olympics, their 5-1 win meant they finished the first day of the men's tournament with more initiative than most of their opposition. Earlier yesterday, New Zealand and India had begun to clear their path. NZ, who will meet Australia in a pool match next Tuesday, were upset 4-3 by England, while India drew with Malaysia. Matthew Wells converted an early penalty corner for the Kookaburras, who were then caught unawares by Scotland but regained control by the end of the first half after Dean Butler pushed his way through the Scottish defence, followed up his pass to Travis Brooks, and scored. Robbie Hammond found Luke Doerner on the goal line for a third score, and Brooks and Brent Livermore finished the job. In the women's competition, the Hockeyroos had enough chances for a cricket score but in the end had to settle for a tailender's dig with an 8-0 thrashing of Malaysia. Elsewhere, England beat Canada 5-0, and NZ thumped Barbados 11-0.
© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald