Trans Tasman Trophy: Hockeyroos claim first series win under new coach Katrina Powell

The Hockeyroos have given new coach Katrina Powell a perfect start to her reign, clinching a 3-1 series triumph over New Zealand.

Nathan Ephraums helped the Kookaburras seal an impressive win.

The Hockeyroos celebrated their maiden series win under new coach Katrina Powell, beating New Zealand 3-1 to claim the Trans Tasman Hockey Series in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

The fourth and final game of the series got off to a worrying start for the Kiwi’s, with 250-game veteran Kayla Whitelock crumbling to the ground in the opening five minutes. Whitelock had to be assisted from the field and took no further part in the match.

Australian captain Stephanie Kershaw converted a messy goalmouth scrap to give the Hockeyroos a 1-0 lead after seven minutes of action, before up-and-coming defender Karri Somerville thwarted a great New Zealand chance.

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Aussie skipper Stephanie Kershaw set the tone for the victory.

The 22-year-old plucking a dangerous cross off her own goal line to preserve Australia’s lead at the first interval.

In the second quarter, Kershaw was at her creative best yet again — the skillful midfielder weaving her way along the Blacksticks baseline before finding an unmarked Kalindi Commerford on the back post to touch home the ninth goal of her international career.

New Zealand set up camp in Australia’s half in the third quarter, the Kiwis peppering Australia’s goal until Kiwi star Olivia Merry finally got her side off the mark. Merry following up her initial deflection with a brilliant rebound strike to make the score 2-1.

Emily Smith missed a golden opportunity to extend Australia’s lead when her shot from close range was smothered not long after, before Queenslander Savannah Fitzpatrick belted home her first goal of the series to restore the Hockeyroos’ two-goal advantage on the stroke of three quarter time.

The Hockeyroos enjoyed their first series win under new coach Katrina Powell (centre).

New Zealand dominated possession, circle entries and shots in the final frame as they tried to claw their way back into the contest, but it was Australia who clung on for a 3-1 triumph. The Hockeyroos registering the sole win of the series after three straight draws.

“We are really happy. It’s just really good preparation heading into the Pro League and the Olympics. I think we’ve been really impressed with all the girls this week, we’ve all played really well … individually and together so its going to be a really hard Olympic selection,” Kershaw said.

In the men’s game, the Kookaburras put on a clinic against a hapless NZ, running out 5-1 winners to make it a series clean sweep.

Nathan Ephraums opened the scoring for the Aussies in the third minute after tapping in a wide Tim Brand shot, before Tom Wickham pounced on a loose ball to double the visitor’s advantage just before quarter time.

A rash challenge from Daniel Beale in the defensive circle earned the Kiwis a penalty stroke minutes before the main break — with Shea McAleese coolly converting past Tyler Lovell to make it 2-1 at halftime.

The Kookaburras were forced to grind out the third quarter as neither side troubled the scorers; before an offensive avalanche saw the Aussies knock in three goals in the space of 12 final quarter minutes to run away with the game 5-1.

Originally published as Trans Tasman Trophy: Hockeyroos claim first series win under new coach Katrina Powell