Frustration For Both GB Teams Against Australia
By Colin Pike
After close encounters with Australia in the first matches of the FIH Pro League, the second games saw GB Men thrashed 5-1 by the Kookaburras whilst GB Women were frustrated when their match with the Hockeyroos was abandoned at half time due to heavy rain and lightning with GB leading 1-0.
Anna Toman scored the only goal in the 17th minute but with the Pro League format having changed to each country playing an opponent twice either home or away instead of individual home and away fixtures, the failure of the match to reach the fourth quarter saw Australia claim double points after winning the first match 2-1.
Therefore Australia claimed six points and GB ended up with nothing, a rule which has since caused controversy on social media.
Before the weather turned, Australia's men claimed a 5-1 win. Surbiton's Luke Taylor was GB's sole scorer, equalising from a penalty corner in the 18th minute after Dylan Wotherspoon gave the Kookaburras the lead in the 14th minute.
Lachlan Sharp restored Australia's lead within a minute of Taylor's equaliser, with Tom Sharp adding a third goal in the 29th minute.
Further goals from Tim Brand in the 45th minute and Trent Mitton with five minutes remaining secured a convincing victory for the hosts and disappointment for GB after just missing out on a shootout the previous day.