CHAMPIONS TROPHY: Aussies rampant as England settle for silver

ENGLAND'S hockey men claimed their first-ever Champions Trophy medal but were forced to settle for silver by a rampant Australia.

POSITIVES: England went down 4-0 to Australia in the Champions Trophy final - but the result was still their best-ever in the competition (hockeyimages.co.uk)

The Kookaburras were playing in their 21st career final and were odds-on to win a third consecutive trophy, after an unbeaten charge through the group stages in Monchengladbach.

England put up little opposition, finding themselves 2-0 down in the first opening minutes, Luke Doerner and Des Abbot both netting.

Jason Wilson added another before the quarter of an hour mark and a Jamie Dwyer strike in the second half completed the 4-0 rout.

The second placed finish is England's best ever at the Champions Trophy and continues the squad's progress up the ranks of world hockey following their European Championships win last year and fourth place finish at the World Cup in March.

"It's been pleasing to come here with some inexperienced players who have played very well," said assistant coach Bobby Crutchley.

"We started slowly and if you start slowly against Australia they punish you.  They're the best team around.  Even then we did cause them some trouble towards the end of the first half.

"It's our first ever medal in the Champions Trophy and we'll just have to go one better next time."