With a last throw of the dice, Grace Balsdon spared Great Britain’s blushes with two late penalty corner goals to beat India 3-2 in the latest set of FIH Pro League matches.
The same scoreline was realised in the men’s encounter as the returning Alan Forsyth scored with 10 minutes left – his first for GB in over three years – to deny India in their final match of the Pro League.
Charlotte Watson scored early before Lalremsiami equalised. Lily Owsley had a goal ruled out before Kaur edged India in front, Jess Buchanan wrong footed after a slight touch en route to goal.
Buchanan was hauled off with under five minutes left as Balsdon entered the fray and scored twice with two low PC hits. It was a first win in four for David Ralph’s side.
Like the women’s match, GB hit the scoreboard early as Phil Roper scored while Sukhjeet Singh levelled before the break.
Harmanpreet Singh then scored from a penalty stroke – Zach Wallace also missed from the spot – before Jack Waller responded with fine hit.
Then came the winner, in the 50th minute, after high press pressure and compatriot Lee Morton involved in the assist.
GB men are now 10 points behind leaders Argentina, with six games in hand, while GB women are third from bottom.
Meanwhile, Australia women recovered from two goals to salvage a 2-2 draw with Germany, sharing the points and then clinching a bonus point with a 4-3 win in the shoot-out.
German captain Mats Grambusch then celebrated his 200th cap in a physical, high-quality 2-2 draw to share the points with Australia before the Germans clinched a bonus point with a 5-4 shoot-out win.
