Top hand played by Nelson masters

The Nelson trio of Nick Perrott, Mike Gafa and Craig Brett played a major role in the New Zealand men's masters hockey team's gold medal success at the IMFH World Cup last week.

New Zealand won the 10-day tournament in Hong Kong, having also claimed the title in 2005. The tournament began in 1977.

New Zealand struggled with the 32-degree heat but still managed to dominate Hong Kong with a 3-0 victory in their opening game, in which Brett scored twice.

In game two, against an unknown Ireland team, New Zealand began strongly and were 1-0 up after five minutes through a Brett goal, increasing their lead to 2-0 after 12 minutes.

The score remained at 2-0 for most of the game, with New Zealand dominating but unable to penetrate the Irish defence. With five minutes to go, Gafa smashed home a penalty corner to make the final score 3-0 in a hard-fought game.

New Zealand dominated Singapore in their third game, with Brett and Gafa scoring hat-tricks in the Kiwis' 8-0 win. Defender Perrott was named MVP for an outstanding game, never allowing Singapore any chance of scoring.

New Zealand took on defending champions Australia in game four, Australia having won the tournament 19 times and being odds-on favourites to do the same again. However, New Zealand scored first in the 10th minute and took this score through to halftime. At the back, Perrott and Mike Mead were having outstanding games, and their hard, aggressive tackling stopped every Australian attack.

Australia finally penetrated New Zealand's defence to equalise through a penalty corner 10 minutes into the second half. New Zealand lifted the tempo, and again took the lead from a scramble in the Aussie circle. Gafa put a long pass through to Brett up front, who had his first shot stopped, but David Brooks picked up the rebound and put the ball away.

Australia equalised through another penalty corner with only four minutes left on the clock to make the final score 2-all.

Gafa had an outstanding game and was named MVP.

New Zealand took control against Scotland after another strong start and were rewarded within the first three minutes with a goal to Brett, followed two minutes later by a goal to Gafa. New Zealand led 5-0 at halftime, adding a further three in their 8-2 victory. Brett finished with four goals and Gafa two, Ian Riach scoring the other two goals.

New Zealand met England in their final game, played in extreme heat. England scored first through a dubious umpiring decision, receiving a stroke which they put away to be 1-0 up after 10 minutes. New Zealand were also reduced to 10 men after Peter Van Reil was yellow-carded and sent to the sin bin.

A fired-up New Zealand team hit back within five minutes to level the score when Riach picked up a Brett pass and finished in the corner. Five minutes later, Grant Boyd got on the scoreboard when he deflected a ball into the goal, leaving Brooks to score two minutes before the break from a penetrating run.

Ahead 3-1 at the break, New Zealand were in complete control. Perrott, at the back, controlled the defensive line well, and the New Zealand circle was rarely penetrated. Gafa scored from a hard-hit penalty corner with 30 seconds to go to make the final score 4-1 and give New Zealand their world crown.

Brett was named top overall goal scorer with 10 goals, followed by Gafa with five. Gafa was twice named MVP and Perrott once.

It completed a successful year for the Nelson trio after being part of the winning Nelson team at the 40s men's national tournament earlier this year.

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