The Australian women's team has notched up their third win of the Oceania Cup on the Sunshine Coast to finish the round-matches undefeated.
The Australians dominated from the outset, Emily Halliday nailing the team's first goal from a penalty corner just two minutes in. A few moments later Teneal Attard made it 2-0. The Australians third goal came from a powerful Angie Lambert drag flick into the top right corner of the net, before Nikki Hudson sent the ball slamming into the backboard from another corner.
The next three goals came from the field, the first came from Sarah Taylor, followed shortly after by Casey Estham and finally an Attard tomahawk for her second and the Hockeyroos seventh. The Australians went on to score two more before half-time, a Kate Hollywood deflection finding the goals and a third from Attard making the score at the break 9-0.
The opening goal of the second half came from a Hollywood deflection in the 39th minute, followed shortly after by another from Nicole Arrold. Megan River then scored her first and Lambert her second to give the Hockeyroos a 13 goal advantage.
The next scores for the match came from Rivers, Taylor and Hudson the Taylor shot sailing high into the back of the net for the Hockeyroos fifteenth and the Hudson goal a well struck reverse stick shot.
The final goal of the night came in the last minute of the game, Sarah Taylor's third, the Hockeyroos home 17-0.
Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray was pleased with his team's efforts. "I thought the game was played in good spirits. The ball was moved relatively quickly, but obviously Sunday will be another game."
"It was good to see Mel Twitt back. It gave her a chance to sharpen up her skills which was great."
After the match, the Hockeyroos met with their Papua New Guinea opponents, giving each player an item of their uniform as a memento of their trip to Australia and their match against the Hockeyroos.
Earlier the New Zealand women's team easily accounted for Fiji 14-1. The Hockeyroos will play the Kiwis in Sunday's Oceania Cup final.
Australia 17 defeated Papua New Guinea 0 (Halftime 9-0)
Australia - Emily Halliday 2m PC; Teneal Attard 5m FG/ 22m FG/ 34m FG; Angie Lambert 12m PC/ 52m FG; Nikki Hudson 13m PC/ 69m FG; Sarah Taylor 18m FG/ 63m FG/ 70m PC; Casey Eastham 21m FG; Kate Hollywood 32m FG/ 39m FG; Nicole Arrold 41m PC; Megan Rivers 47m FG/ 60m FG
Source: Hockey Australia
