Jackson hat-trick hands England series win over Scots

ASHLEY Jackson netted another hat-trick as England wrapped up their indoor test series with Scotland after a win and a draw on Saturday.

SHARPSHOOTER: Another Ashley Jackson hat-trick hands England the indoor series win against Scotland (Grant Treeby Images/EHB)

The East Grinstead ace, who scored four in England's opening 7-5 victory over Scotland on Friday, did not feature in the first game of the day, which ended in a 3-3 draw.

But Jackson, named WorldHockey young player of the year earlier this month, took his tally in international indoor matches to 16 in just six appearances to lead his side to a 4-2 win.

In game one, England roared into a 3-0 lead, courtesy of strikes from Iain Mackay, Richard Mantell and Jonty Clarke.

But two goals in the space of a minute from Josh Cairns reduced to deficit to one, before Chris Wilson's 33rd-minute effort rescued a draw for Scotland.

In the afternoon's match, England were forced to battle back from a 2-0 deficit in order to wrap up the series win.

Stephen Dick and Niall Stott put the hosts two goals to the good but then Jackson came to fore, finding the net on 19, 27 and 34 minutes before Richard Springham grabbed a fourth late on.

"The Scots played a lot better than on Friday evening, "said England manager Nick Beasant. "In the first game we only won one corner, it was a disjointed performance and we realised it was below par.

"In the second game we had four corners in the first half, but we struggled to exert our authority.  However we improved in the second period, and once we came back we closed the game down well."

There remains one more match on Sunday and Beasant revealed the fact  the series is already wrapped up will not hold his team back.

"The Scots are in our group in the European Championships," added Beasant. "And Sunday's game will be a good chance for players to showcase themselves ahead of the WASA Cup in the New Year.