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Pro Hockey League: England survive fightback to beat Spain

England’s men survived a fightback from Spain to secure a 4-2 win in Valencia and move level on points with leaders the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League table.

England went ahead after only three minutes through Jacob Payton before Sam Ward doubled their lead via a drag from a penalty corner.

A Jose Basterra brace either side of half-time pulled Spain level, before Stuart Rushmere edged England back in front.

Spain had a chance to equalise with two minutes to go but could not take advantage of a penalty corner, before England raced up the field on the counter to seal victory through Ward’s second goal.

England remain second in the table on goal difference behind the Netherlands, with both sides having secured 15 points from eight matches.

England’s women bounced back from defeat by the Netherlands on Monday with a 2-0 win against China.

Grace Balsdon put England ahead by dragging in from a penalty corner, before goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard kept out a flurry of attempts in the third quarter.

China piled on the pressure in the final quarter in search of an equaliser, but it was England who found the net again, this time via a Tessa Howard deflected strike.

The victory sees England remain fifth in the table on seven points.

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