Valencia, Spain – England’s men’s hockey team continued their strong form in the FIH Hockey Pro League, securing a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Spain in Valencia on . The win moves them level on points with league leaders the Netherlands, maintaining their position as a serious contender in the competition. Meanwhile, the England women’s team rebounded from a recent defeat with a 2-0 win over China.
England’s men started brightly, taking the lead within the opening minutes. Jacob Payton opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, setting the tone for an attacking performance. Sam Ward then doubled the advantage with a well-executed drag flick from a penalty corner, demonstrating England’s proficiency in set-piece situations.
However, Spain responded strongly, mounting a comeback spearheaded by Jose Basterra. Basterra scored either side of halftime, first in the 18th minute and again after the break, leveling the score and injecting renewed energy into the Spanish side. The equalizer put pressure on England, forcing them to dig deep and regain control of the match.
Stuart Rushmere proved to be the difference-maker, restoring England’s lead and shifting the momentum back in their favor. With just two minutes remaining, and Spain pushing for an equalizer, a penalty corner awarded to the hosts presented a crucial opportunity. However, England’s defense held firm, denying Spain the chance to level the score. Capitalizing on the defensive stand, England launched a swift counterattack, culminating in a second goal from Sam Ward, sealing the victory.
With 15 points from eight matches, England now sit second in the Pro League standings, tied with the Netherlands on points but trailing on goal difference. The Netherlands also have 15 points after eight matches. This sets up an intriguing battle at the top of the table as the league progresses, with both teams demonstrating consistent performance and a clear ambition to claim the title.
The England women’s team also found success on , securing a 2-0 victory against China. The win provided a welcome boost after a recent defeat to the Netherlands. Grace Balsdon opened the scoring with a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner, showcasing England’s ability to convert set-piece opportunities.
The second quarter saw a determined effort from China to equalize, but England’s goalkeeper, Miriam Pritchard, proved to be a formidable barrier, making a series of crucial saves to deny the hosts. Pritchard’s performance was instrumental in maintaining England’s lead and building confidence within the team.
In the final quarter, China continued to press for an equalizer, but England remained resolute in defense. Tessa Howard then extended England’s lead with a deflected strike, effectively sealing the victory. The goal highlighted England’s clinical finishing and their ability to capitalize on opportunities when they arose.
The win sees England’s women remain fifth in the Pro League table with seven points. While they face a challenging road ahead, the victory against China provides a positive step forward and demonstrates their potential to climb the standings.
The contrasting fortunes of the England men’s and women’s teams highlight the varying levels of success within the Pro League campaign so far. The men’s team’s consistent performance and ability to secure crucial wins position them as strong contenders for the title, while the women’s team is focused on building momentum and improving their position in the league table.
England’s men will look to continue their winning streak as they face their next opponents, while the women will aim to build on their recent victory and climb the standings. The FIH Hockey Pro League continues to deliver exciting matches and showcase the talent and competitiveness of international hockey.
