Englands penalty corner strikers were on form in the two internationals played this evening. In the women's international at Cannock, England took a late second-half lead against Germany with a penalty corner strike by Mel Clewlow. England held onto the lead for seven minutes until Germany replied with a field goal from former FIH Player of the Year, Natascha Keller. Final score 1-1.
In the men's match at Belle Vue, Rob Reckers opened the scoring for the Netherlands but Richard Mantell replied from a penalty corner minutes later. The two sides went into the interval at 1-1, but after the break Weusthof and Klaver gave the visitors a commanding lead. With four minutes left on the clock, Ben Hawes pulled one back for England from the penalty spot. Final score 3-2 to the Netherlands.
Although one cannot put too much store by these warm-up games, it does demonstrate that both England teams are not overawed by top European opposition.
Our pictures show penalty corner strikers Mel Clewlow and Richard Mantell.
