Britain win but lose out to Dutch

Great Britain’s women team defeated China 3-1, while rivals Netherlands saw off Japan 4-1 in the four-team pool at the FIH Champions Trophy in Rosario, Argentina.

But it was the Dutch who topped the group by virtue of having scored a goal more, with both sides finishing on seven points and also on an equal goal difference at the end of the final day of the pool competition.

GB took an early lead through a penalty corner strike from the ever-reliable Crista Cullen. After the interval Cullen put GB two up when her shot went in off a Chinese defender but, within six minutes, China were back in the hunt when FU Baorong pulled one back. The result was finally sealed when Slough’s Ashleigh Ball lashed the ball into the net with a reverse stick shot following good work along the base line by Chloe Rogers.

Scot Emily Maguire started and compatriot Laura Bartlett came on as a substitute but the third Scots player, goalkeeper Abi Walker, gave way to Beth Storry between the posts.

Meanwhile, Great Britain men’s coach Jason Lee has taken a squad of 27 players to a two-week training camp in Stellenbosch, South Africa, as the next stage in the build-up for the London Olympics this summer.