James Taylor scored in the 1st minute after which Australia were always chasing the game – but not by very much!

England wanted to stamp their authority on this match and were hungry for goals but Australia’s roughie-toughie tactics frustrated any idea of that. Australia equalised and Mark Waddingham restored the lead. Australia equalised and this time Brendan Barker withstood a full-on shoulder check and still dribbled the ‘keeper to take England into half-time 3-2 up.

As the 2nd half opened Waddingham and Taylor scored to give England the cushion they needed but a penalty allowed Australia back to 5 – 3. Darrel Pearce scored from the penalty spot taking England to 6 – 3 (our first converted penalty of the tournament).

Simon Hosking came into the match for the first time in the final 7 minutes and quickly scored from a move with Barker (which made Brendan feel better about having had the same move done to him by Cataluyna).

Australia scored with 3 minutes to go making it 7 – 4 to England which is how it stayed to the end. And, not too much repair work for the physio to do before England go into battle in the quarter-final match with New Zealand on Thursday.

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Reporter: Aileen Barker