28 May 2009

Versailles, Paris - 27 May 2009

Goal Scorers: Chris Ciriello (27min PC), Glenn Simpson (31min,FG), Luke Doerner (36min,FG), Simon Orchard (65min,FG)

The Kookaburras have made it a clean sweep against France in the first leg of their European tour, defeating the 17th ranked team 4-1 overnight.

The result was a welcomed one following the close call of their first encounter against France on Wednesday 26th May, where the Kookaburras found themselves two goals down before scoring three second half goals to claim victory.

The Kookaburras opened the scoring towards the end of the first half, with young Victorian Chris Ciriello converting a penalty corner at the 27 minute mark.

Fellow Victorian Glenn Simpson added to the tally only minutes later, scoring a field goal at the 31 minute mark to set up a two goal lead heading into the second half.

When Luke Doerner scored the Kookaburras third goal only three minutes after half time it appeared as though it would be too difficult for France to work themselves back into the game.

To their credit they continued to work hard, eventually scoring their first goal at the 61 minute mark however a late goal to Simon Orchard was a fitting way to end the match.

Orchard, who also scored two goals in the first match against France, was once again dominant for the Kookaburras, while veterans Brent Livermore and Liam De Young were also amongst the best players alongside reigning FIH World Young Player of the Year, Eddie Ockenden.

The Kookaburras will now travel to Germany where they take on the Olympic champions in a two test series (Sunday 21 May & Tuesday 2 June) before competing against England, the Netherlands and Germany again in the Hamburg Masters from Thursday 4 June.