England’s men made amends for a defeat against the Australians earlier in the day with a fine performance against the Scots, who in theory are more experienced at the indoor version of the game than their English cousins. Gareth Hall who opened the scoring for Scotland after only three minutes, and Stephen Dick who put the Scots back ahead after Ashley Jackson had equalised. But it was England’s Jonty Clarke (pictured) who showed some fine stickwork to scofre a hat-trick in under seven minutes and send England into the break with a 4-2 lead. The Scots looked threatening in the second half and were dangerous from corners – Ross McPherson and Stephen Dick on target to give Scotland two more goals – but England showed themselves equally adept at corners with goals from Richard Smith and Ashley Jackson. Final score 6-4 to England.
It had been a different story earlier in the day when England faced Australia. England looked set to repeat yesterday’s victory by going into the second half on 3-2, the goals coming from Jonty Clarke, Richard Alexander and Ashley Jackson. The very athletic style of the Australians seemed not to suit hockey on the boards, but they settled down in the second half to some very controlled hockey. Despite goals from Richard Smith and Adam Dixon, the Austrians caught up and overtook England, scoring twice in the last three minutes to take the match 7-5.
There was to be no repeat of yesterdays win over Australia for the women either. Despite goals from sally Walton (2), Jo Ellis and Becky Herbert, the Australians ran out 5-4 winners. It was a last gasp goal by Jo Ellis, her second of the match, that stopped England going down to Scotland 4-3 this evening. Other England goals came from Beckie Herbert and Sally Walton.
