Alex Drewe scored six as England claimed their first win in their first major tournament game against Hong Kong, China at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships on Friday.
Rosie Bathurst, Leah Catton, and Katie Greenwood scored a brace each while Laura Beaman, Ellie Racle, and Lauren Lewis all scored one to see England over the line and sit second in the group after the first round of fixtures.
The game started in a typically frantic fashion with Hong Kong, China drawing first blood after one minute thirty as Sumyuet Cheng put her side in front.
After two minutes, however, England were level as Beaman fired an historic first major tournament goal into the bottom right corner.
From here, England never looked back in the first quarter with Drewe (2), Bathurst, and Racle all scoring to see their team 5-1 up heading into the first quarter-time break.
Another fast start to the second quarter from Hong Kong, China saw them pull a goal back through Sally Tang but England’s defence ensured any potential comeback was short-lived and the women in white went on another scoring run.
Catton, Drewe (2), Lewis, and Bathurst all fired home as England scored five without reply in the second quarter to open up a commanding eight-goal lead at 10-2.
Hong Kong, China composed themselves with just under three minutes left in the quarter to grab a third goal through Tang.
After a dominant first half, England eased slightly in the third quarter allowing Hong Kong, China a sniff at an unlikely comeback.
Jane Ho (2) and Cheng brought their team to within four goals of England with four minutes gone in the third before two Drewe goals, either side of another Hong Kong, China goal from Cherry Hon, surely put the game beyond the team from East Asia.
As the game entered its fourth quarter, Greenwood, a goal-keeper in the field game, scored her first to put England 13-7 up.
Tang and Lon Szeto scored back to back goals for Hong Kong, China to bring their team back to within four but Greenwood and Catton finished the game with two more goals for England as they secured a famous and historic 15-9 win.
England take on the Haudenosaunne on Sunday (22 September) in their second pool-stage game. Follow live updates from 1:15am on the England Lacrosse Instagram page HERE or watch the game live on WL TV HERE.
England 15-9 Hong Kong, China (5-1, 5-2, 2-4, 3-2)
England scorers: Alex Drewe (6G, 1A), Lucy Ford (6A), Rosie Bathurst (2G, 4A), Leah Catton (2G, 1A), Laura Beaman (1G, 2A), Ellie Racle (1G, 2A), Katie Greenwood (2G), Lauren Lewis (1G), Sofia Best (1A),