Hockeyroos book place in semis

The Australian women’s hockey team has cruised into the semi finals of the Commonwealth Games following a crushing 12-0 defeat of Nigeria at the State Netball and Hockey Centre today.

The Hockeyroos were led brilliantly by co-captain Nikki Hudson, who scored a hat-tick to go with the two scored by Nicole Arrold.

Wendy Beattie, Karen Smith, Emily Halliday, Angie Skirving, Madonna Blyth, Kate Hollywood and Sarah Taylor all managed a goal each, helping their side score one of the heaviest victories on Games record.

The Aussies signaled their intentions for the day by ramming home a goal in the opening 21 seconds, deflating the hopes of the Nigerians there and then.

The match was one of the most one-sided in Commonwealth Games history; with the Hockeyroos taking a 7-0 lead into the half time break.

Australia never once looked like losing their grip on the game, no matter how gamely the Nigerians tried.

The women now take on the South Africans in their final Pool A match on Tuesday, only needing a draw against the Proteas in order to assure themselves first place on their Pool’s table.

FINAL SCORE:

AUSTRALIA 12 (Nikki Hudson 3, Nicole Arnold 2, Madonna Blyth, Angie Skirving, Emily Halliday, Wendy Beattie, Sarah Taylor, Karen Smith, Kate Hollywood)

NIGERIA   0

Group A match. 19/03/2006. State Netball and Hockey Centre.

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