FIH Pro League 2022-23: Weekend of mixed results for Great Britain's Women and Men in New Zealand

Great Britain lost 1-3 to Australia 

Great Britain women went down 1-3 against Australia in their second encounter of the New Zealand tournament held on April 28. The Hollie Pearne-Webb-led side took the lead in the 10th minute through Tessa Howard's penalty corner conversion but missed out on capitalising on it as Australia went on to score a goal each in all three remaining quarters. Rebecca Greiner (30', 55') netted twice through an open play, while Renne Taylor (36') converted the penalty corner to help Australia avenge their loss in the second tie.  

Great Britain beat New Zealand 6-1 

After a close defeat to Australia, Great Britain’s women bounced back in style as they outclassed the hosts New Zealand 6-1 in their final match of the mini-tournament held on April 29. A quick start to the game saw Great Britain’s women taking a two-goal lead inside the opening five minutes of the game, courtesy of field goals from Izzy Petter (2') and Darcy Bourne (4'). Grace Balsdon went on to convert the penalty corner in the 20th minute to add a third goal to the team's tally. New Zealand pulled a goal back in the 28th minute through Kaitlin Cotter, but that wasn't enough as the visitors went on to add three more goals to cap off the tour with a remarkable 6-1 win. It was Tessa Howard (51'), Hannah Martin (55') and Giselle Ansley (59') who got on the scoresheet in the final quarter for Great Britain.  

With three wins in their four matches on the tour, Great Britain Women’s team have climbed up to the 6^th place in the points table with nine points. They will next face China, Belgium, Germany and the USA in their home leg of the FIH Pro League scheduled in May and June.

Great Britain beat New Zealand 6-1 

Great Britain’s men registered an emphatic 6-1 win in their second match against New Zealand. After a goalless first quarter, Sam Ward scored back-to-back goals in the 25th and 26th minutes respectively. While he opened the scoring through a penalty corner, the second goal came in from open play. Nicholas Bandurak went on to score two remarkable field goals in the 27th and 37th minutes respectively before Ward completed his hat-trick in the 43rd minute of the game. New Zealand pulled a goal back in the 51st minute through David Brydon’s penalty corner conversion. Zachary Wallace then converted the penalty stroke to score Great Britain's sixth goal in the 57th minute, bagging team’s third consecutive win in the Christchurch mini-tournament.  

Great Britain lose out in a shootout against Australia 

Great Britain faced a narrow 3-3(2-4 SO) loss over Australia in their last match of the New Zealand tour. In a game where the lead exchanged hands with both teams having spells where they were on top, it was Australia who drew the first blood through Joel Rintala in the 5th minute.  Great Britain went on to a 2-1 lead at the end of the third quarter through goals from Sam Ward in the 24th minute and Zachary Wallace in the 38th minute. The final quarter saw a total of three goals being scored by both the teams, with Australia scoring an equaliser through Rintala in the 48th minute, Rupert Shipperley then restoring Great Britain's lead in the 54th minute before Rintala scoring again to end the game to a 3-3 draw.  

In the shootout, Australia got the better of Great Britain as they converted four of their five chances and their goalkeeper Andrew Charter denied James Albery and David Goodfield from converting their attempts for GB.  

Great Britain's successful attempts came from Wallace and Jack Waller, while for Australia Jack Welch, Jake Whetton, Ky Willott and Nathan Ephraums found the back of the net and Rintala missed the only chance.  

With three wins and a shootout loss in four matches on the tour, Paul Revington’s side will head into the home leg in the second place of the points table. They will face the current table toppers India, Belgium, current World Champions Germany and Spain in the forthcoming mini-tournament in London.  

Our first home mini -tournament runs from 26 May to 4 June. GB men will be in action against India and Belgium, while GB women face China and Belgium.    

The second mini -tournament runs from 16 – 21 June. GB women play Germany and the USA, and the men take on Germany and Spain.  The Netherlands men and women are also in town to play Spain and USA respectively.   

It’s a sell-out at Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre for 28 May, with limited tickets left for 4 and 18 June.  It’s not one to be missed!    

Book your tickets now: https://shop.ticketing.cm.com/great-britain-hockey/  

Women's Team Highlights 

GB vs Australia - https://www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk/great-britain-women-s-team-go-down-fighting-1-3-against-australia-in-second-tie

GB vs New Zealand - https://www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk/gb-women-end-new-zealand-tour-with-a-dominating-win-over-hosts

Men's Team Highlights

GB vs New Zealand - https://www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk/great-britain-men-do-the-double-over-hosts-new-zealand

GB vs Australia - https://www.greatbritainhockey.co.uk/great-britain-men-lose-out-in-a-shootout-against-australia