A second-half strike from Kate Holmes proved enough for England Under-23 Women to beat India in the Six Nations Tournament on Saturday, and line up a bronze medal clash against the same opponent on Sunday.

Holmes struck with a low drag flick from the top of the D which found the bottom corner, and the team held on to take the win.

Head Coach Craig Keegan said: “It was a much deserved victory in tough conditions. India are always a tricky team as they have fantastic individual skills. Today our organisation and solid team defence enabled us to gain and maintain good periods of possession.

“In the first half in particular creating numerous opportunities, and it was pleasing to see Kate Holmes score from a short corner later in the game, but in the second half we had to withstand a little bit of pressure. We are now looking forward  to playing for the Bronze medal tomorrow. It has been a tough tournament in a number of ways, but testament to the players’ commitment that they have put themselves in a position to play for a medal.”

England’s bronze medal clash with India is tomorrow, Sunday, 6 July, at 12noon (GMT).

England (0) 1

Kate Holmes – 47 (PC)

India (0) 0

England U23 Women’s Squad

Despite having a high number of penalty corners, England Under-23 Women struggled to convert their chances and went down 3-0 to a clinical China side in the Six Nations Tournament in Breda, The Netherlands, on Friday.

China took the lead after 16 minutes from open play through Qui Guo, and then doubled their lead on 23 minutes, Zengyu Cong scoring this time.

England continued to enjoyed periods of good play and domination but again they couldn’t convert them, and instead China extended their lead with Bingseng Gu scoring another open play goal on 54 minutes.

“It’s a very disappointing scoreline after such a positive performance,” said Head Coach Craig Keegan. “We controlled the match for long periods with quality possession creating numerous corners and open play chances, only to be let down by small lapses in concentration when their direct counter-attacking style of play got the better of us. We are now very much looking forward to India tomorrow after such a positive performance.”

England (0) 0

China (2) 3

Qui Guo – 16 (FG)

Zengyu Cong – 23 (FG)

Bingsneg Gu – 54 (FG)

 India provide the opposition for England Under-23 Women in their next match on Saturday, starting at 12.15pm (GMT).

England U23 Women’s Squad

A late goal from Hayley Turner helped England Under-23 Women salvage a 1-1 draw against Germany in the Six Nations Tournament in Breda, The Netherlands, on Wednesday afternoon.

Germany had taken an early lead with Elisia Grave scoring from open play after just two minutes, and England held them out for the rest of the half and came out looking sharper after half time.

But it took until the 65^th minute before they could score, Turner leveling after a mis-hit shot at the top of the D re-presented itself and she fired home into the bottom right corner in spectacular fashion.

“Two evenly matches teams fought out a very competitive 1-1 draw,” said Head Coach Craig Keegan. “We were disappointed to concede early but regrouped at half time and came out to play with higher intensity and effort consistently winning the ball in their half. It was a fantastic finish from Hayley Turner to level the game. We now have a day off to prepare for our next matches.”

After a rest day on Thursday, England Under-23 Women take on China on Friday at 12.15pm (GMT).

England (0) 1

Hayley Turner – 65 (PC)

 Germany (1) 1

Elisia Grave – 2 (FG)

England U23 Women’s Squad

 Report courtesy of England Hockey

 ENGLAND Under-23 Women lost out to hosts The Netherlands in their second match of the Six Nations Tournament in Breda on Tuesday evening.

 Despite displaying great commitment and work rate, the Dutch were too strong for England and took their chances superbly. It took The Netherlands just four minutes to open their account with Kiki Van Wijk scoring from open play, and Pleun Van Der Plas doubled their advantage on 23 minutes, again from open play.

Their third goal came on 32 minutes from a penalty corner scored by Frederique Matla, and she popped up again to score on 60 and 65 minutes, both from open play, to seal England’s fate.

“It was a tough game tonight against hosts The Netherlands,” said Head Coach Craig Keegan. “They certainly deserved the victory, however I was very proud of the way we continued to compete until the very end. Our focus now shifts on to tomorrow’s opponents Germany. Looking at the bigger picture the Volvo Six Nations is a tournament that delivers in a number of development areas. Playing against the best teams from Europe as well as China, New Zealand and India is great, as they are nations we don’t get to play at Under-23 level very often.”

England (0) 0

The Netherlands (3) 5

Kiki Van Wijk 4 (FG)

Pleun Van Der Plas 23 (FG)

Frederique Matla 32 60 65 (PC, FG, FG)

England Under-23 Women take on Germany on Wednesday, 22 July, at 4pm (GMT).

England U23 Women’s Squad

Victory had looked on the cards for the England outfit after they had battled back from a goal down to lead 2-1. But a goal from a penalty corner four minutes from the end ensured New Zealand took a share of the spoils.

Amy Robinson had given the Kiwis the lead after 15 minutes, but on 41 minutes England leveled with Hannah Martin scoring with a deflection at the right hand side at a penalty corner.

Rebecca Van Berkel gave England the lead from a penalty corner, shooting straight from the top of the D into the bottom left corner after 57 minutes. But nine minutes later New Zealand scored through Kelsey Smith, leaving England with little time to re-take the lead.

“After an indifferent start we grew into the game by creating a number of good opportunities,” said Head Coach Craig Keegan. “After having gone down to an early goal it was pleasing to see the amount of character this team showed to come back and lead the game 2-1. It was a see-saw game, momentum swinging both ways and unfortunately we conceded late on to a corner breakdown.”

After a rest day on Monday, England will take on The Netherlands on Tuesday evening in their second match.

Goalscorers:

England (0) 2

Hannah Martin 41 (PC)

Rebecca Van Berkel 57 (PC)

New Zealand (1) 2

Amy Robinson 15 (FG)

Kelsey Smith 66 (PC)

England U23 Women’s Squad