Hockey: King strike lifts England

England opened their Korean Telecom Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Australia in Busan yesterday.

England dominated the first half and were rewarded for their early pressure on 13 minutes when a goal-bound shot from the captain, Jane Smith, was deflected past the Australian goalkeeper Rachel Imison by Anna Bennett.

England then failed to capitalise on five penalty corners, and had to fight off some Australian pressure at the start of the second half, with the goalkeeper Carolyn Reid outstanding, before adding a second goal with five minutes remaining. Lucilla Wright picked out Leisa King who hit a well-placed shot past the advancing Imison.

But the drama was not over for England who were made to hang on for the points after the Australian captain, Louise Dobson, converted a penalty corner on 69 minutes.

Today England play South Korea, who yesterday beat Spain 4-2.