The New Zealand Secondary Schoolgirls kicked off their four-match tour of Australia on Monday by trouncing a New South Wales Invitational Selection 8-0 in Sydney. Playing in thirty degree heat at kick-off, the Kiwi team began brightly, enjoying the lion's share of possession as they began to develop some combinations around the park. Bolstered by Chloe Knott's twelfth minute goal, the result of a succession of corners, the Kiwis grew in confidence against their New South Wales rivals, but it wasn't until seven minutes before half-time that Libby Boobyer doubled their advantage, on receipt of a cross from Johanna Hamblett. The prolific Steph Trowill got in on the act soon after, and notched her second goal of the game nine minutes into the second spell with a splendid solo effort, setting off on her slaloming run through the Selection's ranks from inside her own half. The natives were still reeling from this blow when Juliana Los made it 5-0 in the 55th minute. Tessa Leong entered the fray five minutes later and made an instant impact, scoring with her first touch. She added a second ten minutes later, before Hannah Robert's shot was diverted into their own net by the New South Wales team nine minutes

from time, bringing about the final 8-0 scoreline. The Gareth Turnbull-coached NZ Schoolgirls now face three challenging matches in as many days, the first two of which see the Deane Low Trophy at stake. For the first time in many a year, New Zealand go into the series as trophy holders. The Australian Secondary Schoolgirls provide the opposition from 3.45pm NZ time on Wednesday at Bicentennial Park, before the same teams clash at Bates Avenue from 4pm on Thursday. The tour wraps up on Friday evening when the NZ Secondary Schoolgirls take on Sydney FC's W-League squad at Macquarie University from 7.45pm NZ time. Details: NSW Invitational Selection 0, NZ Secondary Schoolgirls 8 (C. Knott (12), L. Boobyer (38), S. Trowill (40, 54), J. Los (55), T. Leong (60, 70), "oggie" (80))  HT 0-3 NZ line-up: Tessa Nicol (Rivalina Fuimaono, 46); Johanna Hamblett, Shivi Anthony, Eileish Hayes (Kristen Molloy, 46), Chloe Wilson (Hannah Robert, 46); Hannah Kraakman (Mikayla Wieblitz, 60), Chloe Knott (Tina Kolose, 45), Juliana Los, Libby Boobyer (Lauren Dabner, 60); Steph Trowill, Shontelle Smith (Tessa Leong, 60)