Storry shines as England stun China at World Cup

By Sportsbeat staff

ENGLAND coach Danny Kerry hailed goalkeeper Beth Storry as she played a key role in a memorable victory over Olympic silver medallists China at the women's hockey World Cup in Rosario.

RESOLUTE: England goalkeeper Beth Storry makes one of a number of saves to help England beat China 1-0 at the Hockey World Cup (Grant Treeby Images/EHB)

Storry, the oldest player on Kelly's team, pulled off a string of world class saves as England equalled their best-ever start to a World Cup tournament - and they went on to finish fourth in that event in Sydney 20 years ago.

Hannah Macleod gave England a second minute lead, diving bravely into a sea of flailing sticks to knock home a penalty corner, but it was the resolute Storry that was the undisputed star.

Song Quingling, Ma Yibo, Ma Wei and Zhao Yudiao all saw a succession of goalbound shots beaten away as China piled forward in search of an equaliser.

It was little surprise that England's players rushed to mob the 32-year old Storry - whose triple save in the 53rd minute had many spectators on their feet - after the final whistle.

"Beth was outstanding," said Kerry, whose side are next in action against Korea on Thursday.

"China threw the kitchen sink at us in the second half and we'll have to learn to be more resolute in those situations in the future.  We won the game in the first half."