England played the first of a series of three matches against India at Birmingham University this evening as part of their warm-up for the European Nations in Amsterdam next month.
Despite torrential rain the match got off to a bright start with a goal from Ben Hawes within the first 60 seconds. Dhananjay Mahadhik replied for India from a penalty corner shortly afterwards but Barry Middleton was able to restore England's lead in the 18th minute.
The match remained without further goals for 50 minutes before Richard Smith put the icing on England's cake with a penalty corner strike with two minutes left on the clock. It was Smith's first goal as a senior international.
Final score 3-1 to England. England play the second match of the series on Friday evening at the same venue.
England squad against India: Jonty Clarke (Reading), James Fair (Cannock), Ben Hawes (Surbiton), Ashley Jackson (HGC), Glenn Kirkham (East Grinstead), Iain Mackay (Reading),
Richard Mantell (Reading), Barry Middleton (HGC), Richard Smith (Loughborough Students), James Tindall (Surbiton), Ali Wilson (Beeston), Ali Brogdon (Bowdon), Adam Dixon (Beeston), Martin Jones (Beeston), Simon Mantell (HGC) and Rob Moore (Surbiton).
