Richardson bags two as England down South Africa

HELEN Richardson's fine double saw England continue their unbeaten run at the 2010 World Cup and fired Danny Kerry's side to top of Pool B.

DOUBLING UP: Helen Richardson nets twice as England move to the top of Pool B in Argentina (Grant Treeby Images)

Richardson, who scored England's solitary goal in their 1-1 draw with Korea, scored in each half to help England to a 2-1 victory over South Africa in Argentina.

Pietie Coetzee's penalty corner flick reduced arrears and Hannah Macleod and Alex Danson were both yellow carded for England but they held on for victory.

England now top Pool B with 10 points but could still be caught by Korea in the race for a semi-final place.

A Korean win in their match against Spain would take it the final round of pool fixtures, in which England, whose goal difference is better, face Argentina and Korea play South Africa.

"We controlled the game and outplayed South Africa for the majority of it but the sendings off changed the game," said Kerry.

"We should have scored more goals. The South African goalkeeper played well but we could have taken our chances better. We managed to play okay with nine players and our defence had to make some big tackles."