Delayed: Wednesday 20 August 2003. The same starting four as yesterday took the floor with Dan Palmer in goal. England had to win this game to be sure of qualifying for the semifinal phase.
After just 14 seconds and New Zealand not having touched the ball, Captain James Taylor opens the scoring with a fine slapshot 1 – 0.
With 8 minutes of the half remaining Chris Pearson the young Manchester player makes his debut and scores his first goal within seconds. Not content with that 5 minutes later flicks the ball around a defender from the anti play line and scores a great 2nd goal.
In a 20 minute period that saw England dominate the match with fine passing moves and over 90% possession a further 8 goals were scored making the Half Time score England 9 – 0 New Zealand.

The 2nd half starts with Zacharia, Pearson, Jackson and Taylor on the rink, with much the same outcome as the 1st.
At 11 minutes Lucas Justo Naifsay into the action and at 12 minutes young Mike Abelson comes on to support the team.
With 5 minutes of the match remaining the Kiwi keeper takes Abelson out, Matt Oaten converts the penalty for his 1st goal of the competition.
3 minutes left and Abelson is punched in the face by the Kiwi no 3 Liam Bellman (see the picture on www.ukrollerhockey.com ). Andrew Sims direct free hit is saved by the keeper.
Final score England 16 – 0 New Zealand.
The highest score of the competition so far! England dominated the match with over 90% possession. A very clinical performance achieved by few other England teams
Final scores Taylor 7, Jackson 4, Pearson 3, Sims and Oaten 1.
Thursday is the lads rest day and on Friday they take on Portugal. The other semifinal is between Argentina and France.
England are now guaranteed at least 4th place in this the 1st World Junior Championships.

Steve Taylor from Montevideo.

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Reporter: Kos Galtos