HOCKEY: World number 4 England defeated world number 6, the Hockeyroos in the bronze medal match at Harteyvale Stadium today in Cape Town.

The hard fought match pitched Ashes rivals against one another for the third time in 10 days. The Hockeyroos had defeated England 3-1 in the previous two clashes.

The Investec Challenge tournament in South Africa is the first International event for the Hockeyroos in 2013.

Head Coach Adam Commens used this tournament to provide eight London Olympians continued exposure to the world’s best teams and give an opportunity to younger and less experienced members of the 2013 National Squad a taste for international hockey at the top level.

Commens is confident his group is on the path to success, adding that “there has been some very positive signs from this team and we once again exposed some promising players.”

A dominant first half by the Hockeyroos begun with a magnificent field goal from Fiona Boyce in the 24th minute. Continued pressure and controlling runs down the right provided the Hockeyroos with plenty of opportunities but failed to capitalise again before the half time break (1-0).

A slow start to the second half cost the Hockeyroos their lead with England equalising in the 44th minute through Georgie Parker (1-1).

A quick response from international tournament debutant Kirsten Johnson gave the Hockeyroos the lead again in the 52nd minute (2-1).

In the final ten minutes of the match, England pressed hard and attacked the Hockeyroos goal on numerous occasions. However, it was the Hockeyroos who failed to close the game out with 7 minutes to go, missing two penalty corner shots.

England’s press paid off in the 68th minute, earning a penalty stroke. The decision would cost the Hockeyroos their lead and leave scores tied 2-all at full time (2-2).

A fast and furious extra time saw both teams give everything they had to take home the bronze medal, but to no avail. A failure to find a golden goal winner meant the bronze medal match would head to a penalty shoot-out and provide the crowd with the excitement they came to see.

In a tense finish, England’s steadiness under pressure secured the team victory and the Investec Challenge bronze medal.

There are plenty of positives to take out of the Hockeyroos tour of South Africa and Commens adds that “today’s penalty shoot-out was another great learning experience and we will take a lot from it going into the World League 3 tournament in July.”

The Hockeyroos fly home to Perth in the coming days and prepare for international matches in April.

Australian Under 21 players (Jillaroos) Anna Flanagan, Jordyn Holzeberger and Georgia Nanscawen have two weeks to prepare for the Oceania Junior World Cup Qualifiers in the Gold Coast.

Hockey Australia