Great Britain followed up the 2-2 draw against South Africa with a 5-1 win over Canada. Canada had previously held the hosts to a 1-1 draw and the win was the result of a good and determined performance from the Brits.
Jonty Clarke took the lead for Britain and Richard Mantell hammered home a hat-trick of penalty corners before Barry Middleton made it five. Canada's only reply came courtesy of Ranjeev Deol in the second half.
Although the first 15 minutes were even, Great Britain went on to dominate the rest of the game and the first of their goals came in the 23rd minute when Clarke scored a well worked reverse stick shot from the top of the circle to make it 1-0 at half time.
Richard Mantell scored the first of his three penalty corners ÔÇô all of which were straight, low drag flicks ÔÇô 10 minutes after the restart, but Canada halved the deficit shortly after when Deol netted from open play. Mantell regained Britain's two goal advantage on the 51st minute and further increased it seven minutes from time. Middleton made it five with seconds left on the clock after a goal mouth melee saw the ball fall loose and he dived full length, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to score his 15th goal for Great Britain on his 51st GB appearance.
Great Britain played the first of four games to be played in a three nations tournament involving South Africa and Canada against South Africa. Reading's Nick Catlin was awarded his first senior cap in today's game with Barry Middleton reaching 150 not out in terms of international appearances (England and Great Britain combined).
It took until the 46th minute for the deadlock to be broken and it was hosts South Africa who took the lead through a dubious penalty stroke which Ian Symons converted. Great Britain equalised through Ashley Jackson just a minute later when he fired home from a penalty corner, but South Africa regained their lead five minutes from time when Marvyn Ban scored from open play. The Brits equalised again just three minutes later when James Tindall deflected the ball into the back of the net after some excellent work from Barry Middleton.
Great Britain played well throughout and had enough chances to have won the game, earning six penalty corners with South Africa being prevented from winning any.
Source: Great Britain Hockey ltd.
