FIH Hockey Pro League action began in Christchurch, New Zealand with Great Britain women taking on Australia, followed by men’s action between hosts New Zealand and Great Britain. It was two wins in two for the European team with the women earning their first points of the season with a narrow, but comfortable one-goal win over Hockeyroos, while the men’s team fired on all cylinders in attack to register an impressive 5-2 win over hosts New Zealand.

(Women’s) Australia vs Great Britain 0-1

Great Britain were dominant in the first quarter, pressing Australia high up the field. They made the pressure count in the 13th minute with Giselle Ansley opening the scoring through her team’s third penalty corner, shooting low to the left of the keeper, piercing the gap between Aleisha Power and the post defender. Australia were dominant in the second quarter as Great Britain retreated in defence. However, the Hockeyroos couldn’t capitalise on all their possession, failing to properly test Miriam Pritchard in the goal as Great Britain held on to their slender lead going into the break.

The third quarter was better balanced as Great Britain course corrected and started playing higher up the field. They created the better chances in the quarter but Bartram, in the goal for the second half, made a couple of routine saves. Australia won possession well in the midfield, but failed to create clear scoring opportunities from them. The final quarter followed a similar pattern as Great Britain dictated the pace of the game and created the better chances, but were denied by Bartram on a couple of occasions. Australia continued to struggle stringing passes together in the attacking half and failed to pose a real threat on the Great Britain goal and as the time ran out, Great Britain secured their first win of the season by the narrowest of margins.

Fiona Crackles was awarded player of the match and said: “We have had a strong few months of practising together in camp and we took the game to Australia. We didn’t have a great start to the tournament, but its a marathon not a sprint, so we are thrilled to get our first win today.”

(Men’s) New Zealand vs Great Britain 2-5

Zach Wallace opened the scoring in the game with a phenomenal first time reverse volley on a high ball that had looped off a New Zealand stick in the 13th minute. The lead was well deserved for the visitors as they had dominated the proceedings in the opening quarter, but were denied on multiple occasions by George Enersen in the New Zealand goal. New Zealand looked for a quick comeback in the second quarter, but were denied by an incredible save by Mazarelo from a point blank range. James Oates and Will Calnan scored within seconds of each other, midway through the second quarter, to give the visitors a big 3-goal lead. New Zealand pulled one back in the 28th minute through a Dane Lett penalty corner goal, but Great Britain regained their 3-goal cushion through a Nick Bandurak volley goal from a quick counter attack that started with another terrific Mazarelo save.

Great Britain increased their lead early in the third quarter with Jack Waller finding Shipperley unmarked at the right post and the Welsh forward made the easiest deflection to put the ball into the goal. New Zealand pressed for a route back into the game and with 10 minutes left in the game they scored their second through George Baker, whose shot from the top of the circle went through the legs of a couple of players and settled into the bottom left corner of the goal. The visitors managed the rest of the quarter, bossing possession and limiting counter-attacking opportunities for New Zealand to come away with all 3 points.

Tom Sorsby was awarded player of the match and said: “It was crucial to start the mini-tournament with a win. We have been training for a few months but haven’t played in a while. We worked on our passing between the lines and linking up all phases of attack and it paid off today.”

FIH Pro League – 22 April 2023

Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium, Christchurch (NZL)

Result: Women’s Match 31

Australia 0-1 Great Britain

Player of the Game: Fiona Crackles (GBR)

Umpires: Emi Yamada (JPN), Amber Church (NZL), Gareth Greenfield (NZL-video)

Result: Men’s Match 31

New Zealand 2-5 Great Britain

Player of the Game: Tom Sorsby (GBR)

Umpires: Gareth Greenfield (NZL), Steve Rogers (AUS), Aleisha Neumann (AUS-video)