HOBART, Oct 9: The Australian men’s field hockey team retained their number one ranking and the Oceania Cup with a crushing 6-1 victory over New Zealand on Sunday.

But in the women’s contest the New Zealanders came out on top, taking the trophy with a 4-2 win against Australia in the final match of the three-match series.

The Australian men’s team, known as the Kookaburras, needed to win by four goals or more following a surprise 3-0 defeat in the first game of the series on Thursday and a 3-3 draw on Saturday.

The Australians played with a spark that was missing in the first two games, and goals for Will Ockenden, Kieran Govers and skipper Jamie Dwyer had them 3-0 up after just 16 minutes.

Striker Glenn Turner led the way in the second half with three goals, before Black Sticks skipper Phil Burrows finally put the Kiwis on the board from a penalty stroke in the 65th minute.

New Zealand gained revenge in the women’s cup which, like the Australian men, they won on aggregate.

Australia won the first match 2-1 and secured a 3-3 draw in the second, but the two-goal margin on Sunday gave the Kiwis the edge.

Skipper Kayla Sharland led the way for the Black Sticks in midfield and helped the visitors turn the pressure on the hosts throughout the second half, after Claire Messent levelled the scores just ten seconds before the break.

Goals to Clarissa Eshuis and Stacey Michelsen sealed the result for New Zealand to claim their third Oceania Cup in a row.—AFP