DAY 3 ( 20 JUNE)

England men’s team show winning mentality to claim shootout victory over Argentina

England continued to demonstrate their impressive capacity to find ways to win, grinding out a 1-1 draw against Argentina before claiming the shootout 3-1 at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

Argentina dominated the penalty corner count 9-1, but England put in a gritty performance that showcased the resilience and determination that has become a hallmark of this group in the current campaign.

The first half was tightly contested and far from uneventful, with both sides combining for 21 circle entries across the opening two quarters. Argentina had the better of the set-piece opportunities, earning four penalty corners in the first half alone, but England goalkeeper James Mazarello produced a crucial reflex save from open play to ensure the teams went in level at the break.

England had a goal ruled out early in the second half for contact with the back of the stick, before producing the moment that looked set to win the match. With just five seconds remaining in the third quarter, Nick Bandurak showed the sharpest of instincts to react first to a loose ball on the goal line and poke England ahead. Oliver Payne and England’s penalty corner runners were outstanding in defence, repelling chance after chance, but Argentina finally found a way through in the 50th minute.

The match was decided in the shootout, where England were once again clinical under pressure to take the extra point with a 3-1 success.

Nick Bandurak was named player of the match.

England women’s squad made to work hard but fall to Australia

England were beaten 3-0 by Australia in a crucial Pro League relegation clash at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, a result that leaves the home side facing a fight to secure their top-flight status heading into the final stages of the campaign.

Australia made a bright start and broke the deadlock in the ninth minute. Who then doubled their advantage eight minutes later.

England then showed considerable character, responding to going two goals down with a sustained period of intense pressure that included three penalty corners and a penalty stroke, but they were unable to convert any of them. Australia scored again in the 27th minute, converting from a penalty corner.

The second half told a story of England’s attacking determination, as the home side threw everything into trying to find a way back into the contest. England earned 10 penalty corners in the second half and 13 for the match. At the other end, Miriam Pritchard produced several fine stops of her own to keep the scoreline from becoming more emphatic, underlining her quality between the posts throughout a difficult afternoon.

DAY 4 ( 21 JUNE)

England men’s squad climb to second with commanding 3-1 victory over Australia

Nick Bandurak was the architect of England’s most impressive performance of the London leg as the home side beat Australia 3-1, lifting themselves into second place in the men’s standings.

Both keepers were tested across the opening two quarters but neither side able to find the goal their efforts deserved. The two teams went in at the interval all square and with everything still to play for.

The breakthrough came early in the third quarter after Australia’s penalty corner routine broke down, and England punished them almost instantly on the counter, Stuart Rushmere picking out Bandurak with a perfectly ball for the striker to finish from close range. Australia hit back immediately from a penalty corner to restore parity just a minute later.

It was a moment of individual brilliance that settled the contest. Bandurak collected the ball in front of goal in the 47th minute and, showing composure, steered a low bouncing shot into the corner to put England back in front. Australia were then dealt a further blow when Tom Craig was shown a five-minute yellow card in the 51st minute, and England made their man advantage count with James Gall throwing himself at a penalty corner delivery, his diving deflection flying in to put the result well beyond any doubt.

Australia sacrificed their goalkeeper in a last-ditch bid to rescue something from the afternoon, but England’s backline, marshalled impressively throughout, repelled everything that came their way.

Nick Bandurak took home the player of the match award.

England women’s squad mark Rayer’s century with a spirited fightback in nine-round shootout epic

Ellie Rayer marked her 100th England cap with a memorable occasion at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, as England produced a thrilling 2-2 draw against Australia before narrowly missing out on the bonus point in a nine-round shootout that went all the way to sudden death.

Anna Toman gave England the most explosive of starts, netting twice from penalty corners in the opening three minutes. It was a quite remarkable start to the match, and the amazing home crowd at Lee Valley were raucous in response.

Australia came back into the game 26th minute halving the deficit. The equaliser arrived seven minutes into the second half.

The England women’s team did not panic, and bossed the remainder of the quarter, with Aussie keeper producing a string of vital saves to deny what felt like a one-way tide of pressure.
England carried that momentum into the final quarter and looked well-placed to find a winner, but the contest ebbed and flowed as both sides received green cards at key moments.

What followed was an extraordinary contest in itself. Australia edged the shootout with England matching them all the way to the very last attempt. It was a result that felt desperately harsh on a side that had shown so much quality and character throughout.

With four home matches still to come against Spain and Argentina, there is every reason for David Ralph’s side to believe they can find the results they need — and performances like this one, will give the squad real belief going forward.