16-0! New Zealand thrash woeful Kenya in hockey opener
Kenya national hockey team player Eleaner Chebet dribbles the ball during a training session in Birmingham, on July 27, 2022, ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
What you need to know:
- New Zealand, who claimed silver in 2010 Delhi and bronze in 1998 Kuala Lumpur and 2014 Glasgow, took the lead at the break 9-0 having led 3-0 in the first quarter
- Olivian Shannon scored a hat-trick while Stephanie Dickins, Megan Hall,Alia Jaques and Katlin Cotter managed a double each
- Kenya will confront five-time champions Australia in their next match on Saturday at 4pm at the same venue before meeting Scotland on Monday at 11am
In Birmingham
The going was bound to be tough for Kenya as defending champions New Zealand blew them away 16-0 in their Pool “B” opening match of women’s hockey at the University of Birmingham on Friday.
New Zealand, who claimed silver in 2010 Delhi and bronze in 1998 Kuala Lumpur and 2014 Glasgow, took the lead at the break 9-0 having led 3-0 in the first quarter.
They would then score three goals in the third quarter and four in the last quarter to win.
Olivian Shannon scored a hat-trick while Stephanie Dickins, Megan Hall,Alia Jaques and Katlin Cotter managed a double each.
Kenya will confront five-time champions Australia in their next match on Saturday at 4pm at the same venue before meeting Scotland on Monday at 11am. They will wrap up their pool outing against continental rivals South Africa on Tuesday at 4pm.
Since 1998 when women’s hockey was first played at the Commonwealth Games, Australia have won gold save for the 2002 Manchester and 2018 Gold Coast where India and New Zealand reigned supreme respectively.
On the other hand, New Zealand, who claimed their maiden victory in Gold Coast after silver in 2010 Delhi and bronze in 1998 Kuala Lumpur and 2014 Glasgow, will be eager to confirm their exploits from Australia.
That Kenya is yet to outwit South Africa goes without saying.
