Commonwealth Games 2002: Hockey: England give Wales a thrashing

ENGLAND MOVED a step closer to a medal with a 5-0 win against Wales in their last pool game in Manchester yesterday. They will now face South Africa in a play-off, with Australia, the defending champions, waiting in the semi final.

The unfortunate news for England is that Dave Mathews, their specialist penalty corner striker, who opened the scoring against the Welsh, tore a hamstring and is unlikely to take any further part in the tournament.

England scored twice in the opening 18 minutes and went on to play their best hockey of the tournament. However, it might all have been so different if Wales had scored from a fourth-minute penalty corner. Simon Mason saved well from Paul Edwards.

Mathews scored from England's first corner in the 10th minute, with Mark Pearn collecting a second mid-way through the half.

Wales, needing a draw to progress, should have gone on the attack instead they hung back trying to contain England. They held out for 16 minutes of the second half, before conceding two penalty strokes, England's captain Craig Parnham converted both. Jon Wyatt took advantage of two sin-bin offences from Wales to complete the rout in the final minute.

Earlier in the day Pakistan topped the pool with a convincing 2-0 win over Canada. With Wales losing 5-0, Canada still have a remote chance of making the play-offs.

Copyright 2002 Independent Newspapers UK Limited
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