GOLF: A reception held in their honour at Perth's Irish Club last night rounded off a satisfying day for the Irish squad, who completed their build-up to Sunday's World Cup opener against England with an encouraging 1-1 draw yesterday against New Zealand, the fifth-ranked team in the tournament.

"A positive result, a very positive performance," said a content Riet Kuper after the game which was played on the tournament pitch, in temperatures in the high 70s, at the impressive Perth Hockey Stadium in Curtin University, recently refurbished, at a cost of Aus $4 million Australian dollars, in preparation for the World Cup.

"It's an amazing stadium - when Australia play they should get six to eight thousand people in there which will be a hell of an experience for our players next Wednesday," said Kuper of Ireland's pool game against the hosts. Before then, though, all thoughts will be on the opening pool fixtures against England and South Africa.

Midfielder Jill Orbinson, still recovering from a trapped nerve in her left shoulder, sat out yesterday's match but captain Rachael Kohler, who had been suffering from the same complaint, appeared to be back to full fitness against New Zealand, almost opening the scoring for Ireland in the early stages with a shot from the edge of the circle that flew just past the post.

New Zealand took the lead with a deflection from a short corner strike before Eimear Cregan forced home the rebound from Arlene Boyles' corner attempt. Thereafter Ireland's defence put up an exceptional display, repeatedly thwarting their opponents' efforts at finding a winner.

"We played good hockey today, and started a lot better than we did against Germany," said Kuper, in reference to the concession of two goals in the opening 20 minutes of Tuesday's practice match. "We have a very happy camp, the spirits are high and the players are in great shape - we just want to get started now, the hard work is done, we're ready to go."

While Orbinson's injury continues to cause concern, Kuper remains confident that the Portadown player will be fit to take her place at the centre of Ireland's midfield on Sunday - the other 17 members of the squad, who will attend the opening ceremony in Perth today before training at the stadium, are fully fit and, in the words of Cregan, "raring to go".

"We've waited long enough for this - bring England on," she said.