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SWARMING ALL BLACKS SAVED BY WOODWORK
by Matt McGeehan
Sam Souter hit the post twice in the final moments of the half. Colebourne was beaten, but on each occasion Souter's shot hit the left-hand upright.
Julia MacKay worked hard in the pit and earned the exclusion of Amy Logan, but Scotland could not capitalise as only a few seconds of the quarter remained.
Lucy MacGregor won the swim-off at the start of the third period and with the first attack, MacKay forced Colebourne to save. Throughout the game, MacGregor used her speed well to get in behind the New Zealand defence, with Greer and Cathy Burns covering at point, but Scotland couldn't capitalise.
MacKay had Rebecca Donoghue excluded, and with support from Gael Logan, Scotland created a two-on-one scoring opportunity. Unfortunately, New Zealand's defence covered the quick pass and the opportunity was missed.
Colebourne's quarterback-style throw launched a counter-attack, but Baird denied Lynlee Smith.
Coach Bampouras called a time-out when Megan Thompson was excluded. However, New Zealand stole the ball and were awarded a penalty after Lynn Ruddock's foul.
Burns made a fabulous steal to prevent Sarah Pattison from scoring a certain goal and at the other end, MacKay forced the 'Keeper to save.
Scotland were desperately seeking a goal and MacGregor went close when her shot was deflected over the bar by a defender.
Scotland's goal was greeted with a huge roar from the Scottish contingent in the stands. Jillian Connor had Kimberley Sumich excluded and Greer scored from the extra-man. Greer was in obvious pain throughout, but she fought to the end in the pursuit of a goal for her team.
Captain Fiona Greer prevented the 'shut-out' with a final period goal for her team. Photograph courtesy of R. McKinnon.
Centre Forward Julia MacKay, of Dunfermline WPC, said: "They pressed us hard, and then started dropping.
"We got plenty of man-ups when they started dropping, but we kept hitting the bar!"
Scotland do battle with South Africa this afternoon in what should be another physical encounter. Then it's the auld enemy tomorrow!
SCOTLAND: 1. Lynne Baird, 3. Fiona Greer (capt, 1), 4. Julia MacKay, 5. Cathy Burns, 6. Jillian Connor, 7. Caroline Connor, 8. Gael Logan, 9. Katie Matthews, 10. Lucy MacGregor, 11. Susan Johnstone, 12. Lynn Ruddock, 13. Sam Souter
by Matt McGeehan
Scotland were continually frustrated by the New Zealand woodwork on Australia Day at Challenge Stadium, Perth, in the II Commonwealth Water Polo Championships. The All Blacks running out 29-1 winners.
Captain Fiona Greer finally prevented a 'shut-out' in the fourth quarter, scoring from an extra-man situation. The Scots hit the bar no less than five times and forced Kiwi Goalkeeper, Olivia Colebourne into a number of wonderful saves.
It was deja-vu for Scotland. The Kiwis assault on the Scottish goal was reminiscent of their Antipodean neighbours in yesterday's game - pace and power allowing them to utilise the cross-ball and find the back of Scotland's net.
In the opening exchanges, Scotland's lethargic start meant they quickly went three-nil down. They dramatically improved in the second-half of the first period, with Caroline Connor hitting the upright.
The score at the end of the first period was 6-0.
Scotland's drop defence was effective against the New Zealand arc, preventing the pass to the Centre Forward, but New Zealand's pinpoint accuracy meant the scoreboard kept ticking over.
Lynne Baird made a number of saves to deny New Zealand, but she was largely helpless against the swarm of attacking players.
Baird performed well in a busy morning for Scotland's Goalkeeper. Photograph courtesy of R. McKinnon.
Captain Fiona Greer finally prevented a 'shut-out' in the fourth quarter, scoring from an extra-man situation. The Scots hit the bar no less than five times and forced Kiwi Goalkeeper, Olivia Colebourne into a number of wonderful saves.
It was deja-vu for Scotland. The Kiwis assault on the Scottish goal was reminiscent of their Antipodean neighbours in yesterday's game - pace and power allowing them to utilise the cross-ball and find the back of Scotland's net.
In the opening exchanges, Scotland's lethargic start meant they quickly went three-nil down. They dramatically improved in the second-half of the first period, with Caroline Connor hitting the upright.
The score at the end of the first period was 6-0.
Scotland's drop defence was effective against the New Zealand arc, preventing the pass to the Centre Forward, but New Zealand's pinpoint accuracy meant the scoreboard kept ticking over.
Lynne Baird made a number of saves to deny New Zealand, but she was largely helpless against the swarm of attacking players.
Baird performed well in a busy morning for Scotland's Goalkeeper. Photograph courtesy of R. McKinnon.
Sam Souter hit the post twice in the final moments of the half. Colebourne was beaten, but on each occasion Souter's shot hit the left-hand upright.
Julia MacKay worked hard in the pit and earned the exclusion of Amy Logan, but Scotland could not capitalise as only a few seconds of the quarter remained.
Lucy MacGregor won the swim-off at the start of the third period and with the first attack, MacKay forced Colebourne to save. Throughout the game, MacGregor used her speed well to get in behind the New Zealand defence, with Greer and Cathy Burns covering at point, but Scotland couldn't capitalise.
MacKay had Rebecca Donoghue excluded, and with support from Gael Logan, Scotland created a two-on-one scoring opportunity. Unfortunately, New Zealand's defence covered the quick pass and the opportunity was missed.
Colebourne's quarterback-style throw launched a counter-attack, but Baird denied Lynlee Smith.
Coach Bampouras called a time-out when Megan Thompson was excluded. However, New Zealand stole the ball and were awarded a penalty after Lynn Ruddock's foul.
Burns made a fabulous steal to prevent Sarah Pattison from scoring a certain goal and at the other end, MacKay forced the 'Keeper to save.
Scotland were desperately seeking a goal and MacGregor went close when her shot was deflected over the bar by a defender.
Scotland's goal was greeted with a huge roar from the Scottish contingent in the stands. Jillian Connor had Kimberley Sumich excluded and Greer scored from the extra-man. Greer was in obvious pain throughout, but she fought to the end in the pursuit of a goal for her team.
Captain Fiona Greer prevented the 'shut-out' with a final period goal for her team. Photograph courtesy of R. McKinnon.
Centre Forward Julia MacKay, of Dunfermline WPC, said: "They pressed us hard, and then started dropping.
"We got plenty of man-ups when they started dropping, but we kept hitting the bar!"
Scotland do battle with South Africa this afternoon in what should be another physical encounter. Then it's the auld enemy tomorrow!
SCOTLAND: 1. Lynne Baird, 3. Fiona Greer (capt, 1), 4. Julia MacKay, 5. Cathy Burns, 6. Jillian Connor, 7. Caroline Connor, 8. Gael Logan, 9. Katie Matthews, 10. Lucy MacGregor, 11. Susan Johnstone, 12. Lynn Ruddock, 13. Sam Souter
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Last updated on 2006/01/03.