Tambellup’s Penny Squibb helps Hockeyroos pinch a draw as they return to international competition

Tambellup’s Penny Squibb and the Hockeyroos ended a nine-month hiatus playing international hockey on Tuesday. Squibb was part of the Australian national women’s team that began their Trans-Tasman series against New Zealand in Auckland this week. Last year’s Olympic Games was the last time the Hockeyroos took to the pitch internationally. The new-look Hockeyroos squad features a host of young talent as they build towards this year’s World Cup and Commonwealth Games. The Tambellup-raised Squibb was making just her 15th appearance for the Hockeyroos in the first match of the series on Tuesday. The Hockeyroos had to fight back from two goals down in the opening match and escaped with a 2-2 draw after late goals from Maddy Fitzpatrick and Mariah Williams. The Blacksticks led 2-0 heading into the last quarter but the young and inexperienced Hockeyroos fought back to draw the first of the four-game series. Fitzpatrick opened their account in the 47th minute, and then a minute later the Hockeyroos were awarded another penalty corner. Squibb’s drag flick caught a New Zealand defender and the Hockeyroos were awarded a penalty stroke, which Williams duly dispatched into the top corner to draw Australia level. The game marked a return to Hockeyroos colours for Squibb, who was ruled out of the Olympic Games in Tokyo last year with a quad injury, days before the team departed. The Hockeyroos won the second match of the series on Thursday, thanks to a double from captain Brooke Peris. Peris opened the scoring against the Blacksticks in the 13th minute before the hosts hit back after half time to level scores. A 57th minute strike from Peris guided the Hockeyroos to a 2-1 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Game three will be played on Saturday.