Rabobank World League semi finalNetherlands – New Zealand 3-3 (1-2 halftime)

Much like their female counterparts, the Dutch men had their hands full today in their Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final debut, and like the women, they were able to salvage a point from the outing in a 3-3 draw against #6 New Zealand.

Rabobank World League semi finalNetherlands – Japan 1-1 (1-0 halftime)

On the surface, it seemed World #1 and host Netherlands was having no problem in their opening game of the Rabobank Hockey World League Semi-Final as they controlled all aspects of the game against #9 Japan. But the one thing the Dutch could not do was convert their many opportunities into goals and in the end, the failure to convert cost them the win as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Kate Walsh - hockeyimages.co.ukDespite a number of retirements since last summer and the switch back to England from Great Britain, London 2012 stars still make up nearly half of the selected squad members. England Captain, Reading’s Kate Walsh (292 combined caps) and Alex Danson (183 combined caps) lead the way with nearly 500 international caps between them. Leicester’s Nicola White and Hannah Macleod, alongside Ashleigh Ball will provide the fire power up front. The line-up also includes Holcombe’s new signing Laura Unsworth and Bowdon Hightown’s Sally Walton in defence with Surbiton’s Georgie Twigg in midfield. 

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JULIAN HYKES vs MAS 3RD TEST 9 JUNE 2013 MAGGIE VAN RHYNMalaysia 4 (2)
Izwan Firdaus 27 FG
Chua Boon Huat 29 FG
Razie Abdul Rahim 43 FG
Shahrun Nabil 65 FG

South Africa 4 (0) 
Taine Paton 45 FG
Pierre de Voux 59 FG
Austin Smith 63 PC
Julian Hykes  70 FG

JONATHAN COOK in Potchefstroom

The South Africa men’s hockey team came back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to draw 4-4 with Malaysia in the third Test at University of North West Hockey Centre in Potchefstroom Sunday and clinched the series 2-0 with one to play.

Hockey AustraliaAUSTRALIA (MEN) WORLD LEAGUE WARM-UP TOUR

BELGIUM     2 (0)
Felix Denayer 40 (PC)  
Florent van Aubel 67 (F)      

KOOKABURRAS 2 (1)
Mark Knowles 9 (PS)    
Eddie Ockenden 57 (F)   

In an entertaining dress rehearsal for their opening match of next week’s World League competition in Rotterdam, the Kookaburras and Belgium drew 2-2 in Antwerp on Sunday. Mark Knowles gave the Australians the lead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute but the Kookaburras found themselves pegged back shortly after half time through Felix Denayer’s penalty corner.  Eddie Ockenden struck his 49th Kookaburras goal to restore the lead but Belgium snatched a share of the spoils with just three minutes remaining, Florent van Aubel applying the finish.

Hockey Australia

NETHERLANDS 2 (1)
Jeroen Herzberger 16,40 (F,F)

KOOKABURRAS 5 (3)
Aran Zalewski 21 (F)  
Eddie Ockenden 29 (PC)
Russell Ford 30 (F)    
Matthew Swann 49 (F)  
Trent Mitton 55 (F)

For the second time in three days the Kookaburras turned around an early deficit against the Netherlands to run out as 5-2 winners in Rotterdam as they prepare for the World League, which gets underway in one week. 

Jamie Dwyer (London 2012) - hockeyimages.co.ukNETHERLANDS 1 (1)
Own Goal 4 (OG)     

KOOKABURRAS 3 (0)
Russell Ford 38 (F)  
Jamie Dwyer 45 (F)  
Chris Ciriello 57 (PC)

Three second half goals from Russell Ford (VIC), Jamie Dwyer (QLD) and Chris Cirello (VIC) saw the Kookaburras come from behind to beat the Netherlands 3-1 in their first official practice match ahead of the Rabobank Hockey World League semi-final in Rotterdam.

Wade Paton - GB vs SA Stellenbosch University 2012Malaysia 1
Marhan Jalil '35

South Africa 2
Wade Paton '59
Taine Paton '70

JONATHAN COOK reports from Potchefstroom. Missed chances in the first half cost the South Africa men’s hockey team dearly as Malaysia scored 30 seconds from half-time (35^th minute) through a clinical finish by Marhan Jalil to take a 1-0 lead into the second half at the University of North West Hockey Centre in Potchefstroom Thursday, but goals in the 59^th minute by Wade Paton and the winner 17 seconds from the end (70^th minute) by his younger brother Taine Paton earned SA a thrilling victory in the first of the four-Test series.