Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):- The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced that the draw ceremony to determine the pools of the upcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar - Rourkela will be held on 8 September, 2022. The pinnacle of the FIH men’s tournaments will be held from 13 to 29 January 2023 and involve 16 participating national teams. Those include India, as the hosts of the competition, whilst Malaysia, Japan and Korea are the other Asian teams. Africa is represented by South Africa, recent winners of the Africa Cup of Nations. From Europe, the following teams have qualified: Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France and Wales. Argentina and Chile are the two American teams having booked their ticket for the prestigious tournament, while Australia and New Zealand, from Oceania, complete the draw. The draw will be conducted by FIH CEO Thierry Weil, with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik also in attendance. The four top teams which include host India, Australia, Belgium and Netherlands will be placed on the first row of their corresponding Pools based on the FIH World Rankings as per 1 June 2022. The draw will start with Row 4 of each Pool, involving the following teams: South Africa, Wales, Japan and Chile. It will then continue with Row 3 of each Pool (involving Spain, Malaysia, France and Korea) and conclude with Row 2 of each Pool (with Germany, England, Argentina and New Zealand). The Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the brand-new Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela will host the matches, in the state of Odisha, India. In the previous edition, in 2018, Belgium claimed the title by winning the final against Netherlands, while Australia wrapped up the podium places, finishing third.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the FIH Hockey Pro League participating nations have confirmed the venues for the season 2022-23. According to a press release of FIH, the timing and venues for the Season 2022-23 of FIH’s global league for national teams  ‘Hockey at its Best’ have been confirmed, which will run from 28 October 2022 to 5 July 2023. Australian city Newcastle Hobart, Mendoza, Santiago del Estero (Argentine), Belgium: Antwerp (Belgium), London (England), Bhubaneswar, Rourkela (India), Eindhoven, Amsterdam (Holland) and Christchurch, Wellington (New Zealand) will stage the pro-hockey league’s fixtures. As already announced in March, a new schedule - based on a series of “mini-tournaments” where several teams will gather in one venue to play two matches against each other - will come into force for this new Pro League season. This format will have a major positive impact on players’ welfare and the environment, thanks to a substantial reduction in the amount of travel needed for each team and the officials. Another great advantage of this revised format is that it increases the number of dates available for athletes to compete in their domestic leagues and club competitions. Furthermore, this season will see the implementation of a promotion-relegation principle for the very first time, with the team finishing last being relegated, while the team winning the 2022 FIH Hockey Nations Cup – a new event – being promoted for the 2023-2024 Pro League season. FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The integration of the promotion-relegation principle will substantially add to the excitement around Pro League. Also, the new format is beneficial to everyone, athletes, National Associations, clubs and fans in particular. We’re glad to welcome some new venues for this season; this is great for the growth of our sport! We’re very much looking forward to the fourth edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League”. 

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England and a series of test matches between Poland, Austria and Chile have made some impact upon the FIH World Rankings among both the men’s and women’s nations. While there have been shifts and movements up and down the table, the top of the men’s and women’s rankings remains unaltered. Australia men, victors in Birmingham for the seventh consecutive time, are sitting at the top of the men’s rankings with 2851 points. Belgium (2742) and Netherlands (2646) are in second and third place. Germany (2340) men sit in fourth place, while a silver at the Commonwealth Games helped India (2294) maintain its position in fifth, just ahead of Commonwealth Games bronze medallists England (2158) in sixth. Argentina (2082) and Spain (1849) are in seventh and eighth position respectively, while New Zealand’s (1778) fifth place in Birmingham means the Black Sticks remain in ninth. Further down the table, South Africa men’s (1450) impressive fourth place finish at the Commonwealth Games sees them move to 14th, one place ahead of Canada (1421). Wales (1383) remain in 16th while Pakistan’s (1333) performances over the two week long competition sees them rooted to 18th spot. Scotland (1159) are also non-shifters in 21st position. Chile (959), Austria (1169) and Ireland (1469) are currently involved in a three-team test series. The results so far have favoured Ireland as the Green Army has moved from 14th to 13th. Austria remain in 19th place while Chile sit at 23rd. In the women’s rankings there is no movement in the top three. Netherlands (3155) continue to top the table as they have for the past decade. Argentina (2714) are in second placed with Australia (2589) in third after a silver medal win in Birmingham. England (2289), who won their first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal have jumped to fourth place, with Germany (2189), Belgium (2159) and Spain (2143) in fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. New Zealand’s (1995) fourth place finish hasn’t altered their position at eighth, and India (1953) are just behind in ninth position. China (1805) make up the top 10, ahead of Asian rivals Japan (1693) and Korea (1649). Canada’s (1421) performance in Birmingham helped them move up to 14th; Scotland (1224) are unmoved at 17th and South Africa (1151) remains at 20th in the rankings. Wales (961) dropped from 23rd to 24th. Kenya’s (604) first appearance at the Commonwealth Games saw then move up two place to 37th, after a win over neighbouring Ghana in the classification match. Ghana (684) drop one spot to 32nd.

Sports Bulletin Report Lausanne (Switzerland):-The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed the participating teams and the Pools for the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup South Africa 2023, which will be staged in Pretoria, at the Heartfelt Arena from 5 to 11 February 2023. The Pools were established on the basis of the current FIH Indoor World Rankings. All 24 teams – except Australia and New Zealand – were in the line-up of participating teams for the event which was scheduled to be played in February 2022 but was postponed due to COVID-related issues. For the 2023 edition, Australia will replace Russia (Men) and Belarus (Women) since, based on the current guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the participation of these two teams has been denied by FIH. New Zealand will replace Germany (for both genders) who, despite having qualified, have decided not to take part. South African Hockey Association Acting CEO Shaune Baaitjies said: “The South African Hockey family are so excited about another first for SA Hockey and we cannot wait to welcome our visitors to our beautiful country where we promise to deliver a spectacular event. As a country with a proud heritage of hosting historic international events we can’t wait to add the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup to this incredible catalogue” FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “All teams and all hockey fans are eagerly waiting for the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup to be back! We’re really glad to have again participating teams from every continent, making it an impressive line up! On behalf of FIH, I’d like to thank wholeheartedly the South African Organising Committee for their commitment and hard work. We’re looking forward to exciting hockey in Pretoria in 6 months’ time” In 2018, at the last edition of the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup, Germany (Women) and Austria (Men) were crowned Indoor World Champions. Women - Pool A Netherlands, Austria, Australia, United States, South Africa, New Zealand Women - Pool B Ukraine, Czech Republic, Namibia, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Canada Men - Pool A Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Namibia, New Zealand Men - Pool B Iran, Czech Republic, Australia, South Africa, United States, Argentina

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-Australia beat India 7-0 in the final to lift the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games 2022 while England out-scoring South Africa 6-3 in a bronze medal contest. England 6 South Africa 3 (Bronze medal match men) England, buoyed by a loud home crowd, beat South Africa in a high-scoring affair to earn the bronze medal. The first quarter was tense, as both sides looked to work each other out. South Africa had the opening couple of chances, Keenan Horne and Daniel Bell seeing efforts blocked and saved by a firm English defence. As England pushed-back Commonwealth Games top-scorer Nicholas Bandurak had a goal disallowed after just over 10 minutes. A tight opening quarter eventually ended goalless. The second period of this game turned out to be a contender for the most entertaining of the whole tournament. The carnage began when after 18 minutes Matthew Guise-Brown scored from a penalty corner. England responded straight away, with a first ever international goal from Rhys Smith. South Africa were ahead again in the blink of an eye, as Mustapha Cassiem slotted past England keeper Oliver Payne. Once again it was a rapid response from England, who equalised for the second time in the quarter via cracking strike from Liam Ansell. A great referral from England skipper Zachary Wallace won his side a penalty corner with 5 minutes left of the period, and Samuel Ward cashed in, putting the hosts 3-2 ahead. The game’s sixth goal came on the stroke of half-time, as Nqobile Ntuli restored parity between the sides. A remarkable quarter ended with the scores tied at 3-3. The players emerged from a well-earned half-time break and a far quieter period ensued. England were temporarily down to 10 after a green card but South Africa could not capitalise. Instead, England took the lead once again, a powerful strike from Phillip Roper 5 minutes from the final break. Despite some late pressure from the hosts the players took their final break with the score 4-3, and the destination of the bronze medal far from decided. In the last 15 of hockey for both sides in this year’s games it was England that drew first blood, Roper getting the final touch following a Sam Ward shot. With 5 minutes to go, trailing by 2 goals, South Africa committed to 11 outfield players as they looked to claw themselves back into medal contention. However, with 90 seconds left on the clock England’s Wallace tucked home a penalty stroke to wrap up a 6-3 win, and the bronze medal, for the hosts. Australia 7 India 0 (Gold medal match men) A rampant Australia brushed aside India to keep up their 100% Commonwealth Games gold medal streak. Australia began the first quarter with a spell of early pressure as they looked to win an astonishing 7th gold medal in a row. After 9 minutes it was the ever-dangerous Blake Govers that opened the scoring in the final, firing home from a penalty corner. With just a minute left in the opening 15 Nathan Ephraums doubled the Kookaburras lead, rounding out a dominant first period for Australia. The Aussies continued their relentless pressure into the second quarter, looking to dominate their Asian opponents. After 22 minutes the lead was suddenly 3-0 when Jacob Anderson scored from a penalty corner. Just 5 minutes later Australia found their 4th without reply as Tom Wickham fired in. Anderson’s second of the period increased the lead to 5-0 by half-time. A devastating first 30 saw Australia have one hand on the trophy, while India had a mountain to climb to get back into the tie. As was the theme of the match the third quarter was again one-sided, as the Kookaburras saw attack as the best form of defence, creating multiple opportunities. Only 1 further goal was added, thanks to Ephraums 3 minutes before the final break. Australia were 7-up inside a minute of the final quarter, Flynn Ogilvie with the strike. The Kookaburras did continue to create more opportunities to extend a big lead even further, but the busy PR Sreejesh in the Indian goal managed to make the saves required to avoid further damage. As the hooter brought the curtain down on the hockey at the 2022 Commonwealth Games it was seven-heaven for the Kookaburras, 7 final goals securing a 7th consecutive gold medal as their utter dominance of the tournament and final was written into the history books. Results (Men’s Competition): England 6 South Africa 3 (Bronze medal match men) Umpires: Tyler Klenk (CAN) Stephen Rogers (AUS) Tim Bond (NZL-video) Australia 7 India 0 (Gold medal match men) Umpires: Daniel Barstow (ENG) David Tomlinson (NZL) Sean Rapaport (RSA-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-The day began with India’s women securing bronze medal via a dramatic shoot-out, while Canada earnt 5th spot. In the afternoon the women’s gold medal match saw England win their first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in front of a delirious home crowd. The day ended with New Zealand’s men securing 5th place, a game that saw Wales confirm their highest ever games finish. England 2 Australia 1 (Gold medal women) England struck gold against Australia, winning their first Commonwealth Games gold medal. The first quarter had all the hall-marks of a game of this magnitude as the sides looked to work each other out and get the upper hand. The last few minutes of the opening 15 featured a string of penalty corners for England, with Grace Balsdon seeing her first few efforts on goal dealt with by a firm Hockeyroos defence and keeper Aleisha Power. It was to be England who would break the deadlock, as a fine touch and finish was executed to full effect by Holly Hunt on the 22nd minute. A good quarter became even better for the hosts - who were backed by a raucous crowd at the University of Birmingham – when 4 minutes later Tess Howard doubled the lead with a great touch into the Hockeyroos goal. A pair of great efforts had English fans dreaming as the players headed off for half-time. The third period was a bit more cagey, as Australia looked to make inroads into the English lead. English keeper Madeleine Hinch was called into action, denying Stephanie Kershaw. After absorbing the Aussie pressure England looked to get back to their work, and with 5 minutes left of the period the lead was almost 3 when Anna Toman saw her penalty corner effort come back off the post. Another 15 were banked as the score remained 2-0 heading into the final period. As Australia pushed on in search of a breakthrough it was a case of holding their nerve for England, they knew the Hockeyroos would put it all on the line in search of a comeback. Australia forced a number of penalty corners but keeper Hinch and her defence dealt with everything that was thrown their way. With 20 seconds to goal hearts would have been in England mouths when Ambrosia Malone finally got the Aussie goal from a penalty corner after some relentless attacking. However, it would prove to be too little too late as England held on for the 2-1 win. For the hosts it was the stuff of dreams, a first Commonwealth Games gold medal on home soil, while Australia picked up their second consecutive silver medal. Results (Women's Competition): New Zealand 1 (1) India 1 (2) (Bronze medal match women) Umpires: Rachel Williams (ENG) Aleisha Neumann (AUS) Cathy Wright (WAL-video) Canada 3 Scotland 1 (Classification 5-6 women) Umpires: Katrina Turner (NZL) Hannah Harrison (ENG) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS-video) England 2 Australia 1 (Gold medal women) Umpires: Amber Church (NZL) Wanri Venter (RSA) Cathy Wright (WAL-video) Results Men’s Competition New Zealand 2 Wales 1 (Classification 5-6 men)            Umpires: Bruce Bale (ENG) Nick Bennett (ENG) Sean Rapaport (RSA-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-The morning session saw a couple of the men’s placings sorted. The day began with Scotland securing 9th place with a big win over Ghana, this was followed by Pakistan edging a high-scoring match against Canada to confirm 7th. The evening session saw the men’s semi-finals contested, starting with India earning a place in the final with a hard-fought win over South Africa. Over in the other semi-final Australia came back from 2-0 down to beat England. Pakistan 4 Canada 3 (Classification 7-8 men) Pakistan edged an entertaining match to secure 7th place in the Commonwealth Games. A tight first 15 between two competitive sides yielded little in the way of clear-cut opportunities. Canada will probably feel as though they had the better of it, forcing a few penalty corners and seeing Brendan Guraliuk denied by Pakistan keeper Akmal Hussain. The second quarter burst into life when Abdul Rana and Ghazanfar Ali scored in quick succession as Pakistan raced to a 2-0 lead. After being rocked by the manic few minutes that had just gone by Canada began to counter-punch, winning a series of penalty corners. The pressure eventually told as Matthew Sarmento halved the deficit in the 26th minute, and 4 minutes later Keegan Pereira restored parity on the stroke of half-time. After a breathless second quarter the teams appeared to take stock in the third quarter, and a cagey period ensued. Green cards were shown to both sides during the 15 but neither team could capitalise on the extra man and the score remained 2-2. As the game entered its final quarter both sides were keen to stamp their authority. Pakistan edged ahead in the 52nd minute, Umar Bhutta with the strike. Following a series of chances and penalty corners a frantic final 2 minutes was set up when Sarmento grabbed his second of the game to make it 3-3. Abdul Shahid would prove to be the hero for Pakistan, scoring in the final minute to secure 7th place.   India 3 South Africa 2 (Semi-final men) India secured their place in the gold medal match after a hard-fought battle with South Africa. The first semi-final began with a topsy-turvy period as both sides came out raring to book a place in the gold medal match. There was a plethora of chances for both sides from a series of penalty corners, and during open play. As would soon become a theme of the match Gowan Jones in the South African net produced a catalogue of saves. India’s defensive unit stood firm as well and an entertaining first 15 somehow ended goalless. South Africa started the second quarter well, crafting a series of chances from penalty corners, with Matthew Guise-Brown denied on multiple occasions. Unnerved by the one-way traffic India took went up the other end and broke the deadlock, Abhisheck with the strike in the 20th minute. A period of Indian pressure followed, and Jones was again called into action, producing more saves to add to his tally for the day. 2 minutes from the end of the period Jones was finally beaten again as Mandeep Singh doubled the Indian lead. This left South Africa with plenty to muse over at the half-time interval. Knowing they needed to find an extra gear in the third quarter South Africa put their foot on the gas, producing a wave of attacks. A series of penalty corners was eventually capitalised upon for the Africans when Ryan Julius struck in the 33rd minute. An encouraging quarter for South Africa continued as they continued to pepper the Indian goal. However, they were met by a dogged defensive and an impressive Krishan Bahadur Pathak in the Asian’s goal. The game entered its final chapter with the final place anything but secure. Both sides looked to get themselves on the front foot but it was India that found the first telling touch of the 15. After South Africa removed their keeper Jugraj Singh extended the Indian lead to 3-1 with just 2 minutes left on the clock from a penalty corner. South Africa did not give up and were rewarded for their perseverance via a Mustapha Cassiem goal just a minute later. However, they could not find what would have been an extremely late leveller and it would be India who progressed to Monday’s final. South Africa will be in the bronze medal match on the same day. Results (Men's Competition): Scotland 7 Ghana 2 (Classification 9-10 men) Umpires: Peter Obalo Kabaso (KEN) Ilanggo Kanabathu (MAS) David Tomlinson (NZL-video) Pakistan 4 Canada 3 (Classification 7-8 men) Umpires: Fraser Bell (SCO) Tim Bond (NZL) Stephen Rogers (AUS-video) India 3 South Africa 2 (Semi-final men) Umpires: Daniel Barstow (ENG) Stephen Rogers (AUS) Bruce Bale (ENG-video) Australia 3 England 2 (Semi-final men) Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA) David Tomlinson (NZL) Tyler Klenk (CAN-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-The morning session began with a little bit of history as Kenya’s women secured their first ever Commonwealth games victory. This was followed by South Africa pipping Wales to 7th place in a tight encounter. The evening session started with England booking their spot in Sunday’s gold medal match with a shoot-out win over New Zealand. The second semi-final also went all the way, as Australia came out on top. England 0 (2) New Zealand 0 (0) (Semi-final women): England booked their place in the final after a dramatic shoot-out victory. Both sides looked up for a game that would guarantee the victors a medal. This was typified by 5 penalty corners - 2 for England and 3 for New Zealand – inside the first 5 minutes of the opening quarter. Chances kept on coming but it was New Zealand who looked the more likely, although they were kept out by a steely England defence and an inspired Madeleine Hinch. It would prove to be a much tighter second quarter, with no clear cut chances or attempts on goal in the 15. England were briefly down to 10 when Giselle Ansley was shown a green card but the Black Sticks could not capitalise. The third period opened up the game once more as both sides looked to assert dominance in the tie. New Zealand had the better of the chances in the initial stages of the period, before England began to counter-punch, creating openings for themselves through Ansley and Peel. The Black Sticks stood strong and Megan Hull had a go at breaking the deadlock in the 42nd minute from a penalty corner. She was denied by the outstanding Hinch once more. While both sides would have been forgiven for becoming conservative in the final quarter, it was quite the opposite as both sides tried to kill the game off before a shoot-out would be required. Both sides had multiple penalty corners and openings however both defences and keepers Hinch and Grace O’Hanlon proved to be too tough to beat. The semi-final would be decided by a shoot-out. Ralph (NZL) missed the opening shot, but so did Howard (ENG). Hinch saved Tynan’s (NZL) effort, before O’Hanlon returned the favour to deny Owsley (ENG). Doar (NZL) was denied by a fantastic Hinch save, which was followed up by Petter (ENG) tucking away her shot. Hinch made another spectacular save to crucially deny Shannon (NZL) and Martin (ENG) became the England hero as she slotted home to send her side to Sunday’s final. Australia 1 (3) India 1 (0) (Semi-final women): Australia will be guaranteed a medal after they edged past India via a shoot-out to set up a final against England. Whilst it was India who managed to get the first penalty corner of the game it was the Hockeyroos who got the scoring started, as Rebecca Greiner deflected the ball home via a Mariah Williams cross. Chances for both sides followed but the score line stayed at 1-0 after an open first 15. As India looked to get back into the tie Aleisha Power in the Hockeyroos net was called into action twice in quick succession. Further chances fell the way of the Asian side but Australia managed to get to half-time unscathed. A re-energised Australia came back out after the break looking to put their foot on the gas. The Hockeyroos carved out multiple opportunities, forcing penalty corner after penalty corner, Maddy Fitzpatrick was single-handedly denied on multiple occasions. Despite the Aussie barrage India did manage to restore parity between the sides in the 49th minute as Vandana Katariya deflected the ball home. Being pegged back did not seem to deter the Kookaburras as they went back to their work, peppering the Indian goal. It was by no means completely one-way traffic however as Power in the Aussie net was again called into action, producing a big save to deny a Kaur Gurjit drag flick. A video referral decision in the last minute would have had Indian hearts in mouths but deciding whether to award between a penalty corner and stroke after the ball hit a defender’s body a corner was given and India cleared their lines. Jocelyn Bartram was introduced in the place of the impressive Power prior to the shoot-out. Malone’s (AUS) initial shot was saved, however in a dramatic turn of events the clock hadn’t started and she was allowed a re-take, making no mistake this time around. Lalremsiami (IND) put her shot wide, while Nobbs (AUS) calmy finished past Savita in the Indian goal. Bartram stepped up to make a huge save to deny Neha (IND), and this was backed up by Lawton (AUS) putting the Hockeyroos 3-0 up. Navneet (IND) had to score but couldn’t, firing wide as Australia booked their spot in Sunday’s final.  Results (Women's Competition): Ghana 2 (2) Kenya 2 (3) (Classification 9-10 women) Umpires: Rhiannon Murrie (AUS) Rebecca Woodcock (ENG) Rachel Williams (ENG-video) Wales 0 South Africa 1 (Classification 7-8 women) Umpires: Lelia Sacre (CAN) Cookie Tan (SGP) Hannah Harrison (ENG-video) England 0 (2) New Zealand 0 (0) (Semi-final women) Umpires: Aleisha Neumann (AUS) Wanri Venter (RSA) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS-video) Australia 1 (3) India 1 (0) (Semi-final women) Umpires: Amber Church (NZL) Hannah Harrison (ENG) Cathy Wright (WAL-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-The final day of Pool action got underway with New Zealand’s women cruising to victory over South Africa, before England went 4 wins from 4 for the first time in the Commonwealth Games with a comfortable win over Wales. The afternoon began with India’s men securing top spot in Pool B, with the second game of the session seeing England put up double figures against Canada. South Africa’s men pulled off a crucial win over New Zealand in the opening game of the evening, ending the Black Sticks chance of a medal. The final Pool match of the games saw Australia maintain their 100% record, setting up a semi-final Australia 7 Pakistan 0 (Pool A men): Australia maintained their 100% record in the final Pool match of the games, registering a comfortable win over Pakistan. In order to ruin the South African party Pakistan needed to win this game by 2 goals or more, and to their credit they started on the front foot, taking the fight to the 6 time champions. They couldn’t find a way through however, and Blake Govers hammered home just how tough this would be for Pakistan by opening the scoring in the 12th minute. The second quarter only served to make the already extremely tough Pakistan challenge almost impossible when Jeremy Hayward doubled the Kookaburra’s lead. A strong period for the Aussies only yielded the one goal but put them firmly in the driving seat. Any lingering hopes of a Pakistan comeback were firmly crushed in the third quarter, as goals from Hayward and Tom Wickham just 2 minutes apart extended the lead to 4-0. The result of the game means Pakistan will take on Canada in the 7th/8th classification match, while Australia will play hosts England in the semi-final on Saturday. Results (Women's Competition): South Africa 1 New Zealand 4 (Pool B women) Umpires: Rebecca Woodcock (ENG) Lelia Sacre (CAN) Cookie Tan (SGP-video) England 5 Wales 0 (Pool A women) Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA) Binish Hayat (PAK) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS-video) Results (Men’s Competition): India 4 Wales 1 (Pool B men) Umpires: Nick Bennett (ENG) Tyler Klenk (CAN) Fraser Bell (SCO-video) Canada 2 England 11 (Pool B men) Umpires: Deepak Chandra Joshi (IND) Stephen Rogers (AUS) Sean Rapaport (RSA-video) South Africa 4 New Zealand 3 (Pool A men) Umpires: Daniel Barstow (ENG) Bruce Bale (ENG) Nick Bennett (ENG-video) Australia 7 Pakistan 0 (Pool A men) Umpires: Peter Obalo Kabaso (KEN) David Tomlinson (NZL) Tim Bond (NZL-video)

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-The Hockeyroos got day 5 of the games underway, edging out New Zealand in a crunch Pool B tie. This was followed by a convincing Canadian victory over a spirited Ghana. England’s women got the afternoon session underway with an important win over India, while South Africa had 3 separate hat-trick scorers in a substantial win over Kenya. South Africa beat Kenya 15-0 (Pool B women) South Africa picked up their first win in style as they put 15 past Kenya. Jean-Leigh Du Toit got the procession of goals underway, opening the scoring from a penalty corner. A series of chances followed before Tarryn Lombard doubled the lead from another penalty corner. With 4 minutes left of the opening quarter Lilian Du Plessis and Erin Christie both struck, putting South Africa up 4-0 after a clinical first period. Kenya did put up a decent defence in the second quarter, thwarting a series of chances from a goal-hungry South African side. Not to be denied, Du Toit found her second of the game with 4 minutes left of the quarter from a penalty corner. Lombard got back in on the action a minute later, extending the South African lead to 6-0 at half-time. The scoreboard soon ticked over to 7 for South Africa, as 4 minutes into the third quarter Kristen Paton found the back of the goal. Du Plessis added an 8th and it soon became 9 as Du Toit completed her hat-trick. Not satisfied with just 3 goals Du Toit was at it again, grabbing her 4th, and South Africa’s 10th of the match inside a minute of the final period. Du Plessis completed her hat-trick with 9 minutes left on the clock, scoring her 4th a few minutes later. With 3 minutes left in the game Lombard became the 3rd South African to complete a hat-trick, while Du Toit and Bernadette Coston scored the last 2 goals of the afternoon to complete a huge 15-0 win.     Erin Christie (RSA): "We had a goal today. We've been disappointed with our performances in the last four games, so we wanted to come out here and make a stance and show that we're good enough to be here. “Part of that was doing what other teams in the pool have done - and that's scoring a lot of goals." Results (Women's Competition): New Zealand 0 Australia 1 (Pool B women) Umpires: Rachel Williams (ENG) Lelia Sacre (CAN) Cathy Wright (WAL-video) Ghana 1 Canada 8 (Pool A women) Umpires: Aleisha Neumann (AUS) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS) Hannah Harrison (ENG-video) India 1 England 3 (Pool A women) Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA) Cookie Tan (SGP) Cathy Wright (WAL-video) Kenya 0 South Africa 15 (Pool B women) Umpires: Rebecca Woodcock (ENG) Binish Hayat (PAK) Amber Church (NZL)