McGurk Hits Goal as Hockeyroos Edge India 3-1 in Spar Cup

WAIS hockey athlete Kobie McGurk starred with a goal as the Hockeyroos opened their Spar Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over India in Durban, South Africa.

McGurk was on hand to finish from a penalty corner in the 65m to wrap up the win after Australia had been constantly denied by a desperate and committed Indian outfit.

Defensive stalwart McGurk along with Hope Munro and Kim Walker were all representing WAIS in the contest, which the Hockeyroos dominated for large periods. But credit to the Indian side was paid by Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray, after they managed to repel a barrage of attacking raids from the Australian team that finished fifth at the 2008 Olympics.

“We have started the tournament with a hard fought win against a quick and skilful Indian team. We had the greater percentage of the attack but could not convert circle penetration with goals due to the desperate defence of the Indians,” said Murray.

Australia gained the lead after 15m with youngster Emily Hurtz finding space in the circle to finish with more than a degree of composure.

Half-time was reached with the same score before India caused a major shock by levelling the scores just over ten minutes into the second period.

It proved only a temporary reprieve for the Indians however, as the Hockeyroos regained its tempo and then the lead when Casey Eastham swooped on a well drilled penalty corner.

McGurk added some gloss to the result with her goal, but the Hockeyroos will be confronted by a much sterner test of its credentials when it faces world number two Argentina in the second round on Wednesday.