England open with comfortable win at Women’s European Championship

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England began their European Championship campaign with a solid 14-5 win against Ireland in Netanya, Israel.

Nine different players got on the scoresheet in a positive team performance in which England were generally always in control.

Megan Whittle led with five points (2G, 3A), while Jenny Simpson scored four goals, spearheading the attacking unit.

Claire Faram opened the scoring with a free position shot and despite an equaliser from Noreen Andersen, goals from the dangerous Whittle and Simpson made it 3-1 at the ¼ time.

Hayes and Liv Wimpenny dominated at the draw, winning 18/23 draw controls which set up England with plenty of possession in a second quarter which saw the holders pull away.

Lucy Lynch, Tilly Shires, Simpson, Hayes and Wimpenny all scored without reply in a dominant 15-minute period in which England peppered the Irish goal with 15 shots.

Simpson then scored her hat-trick and Alex Drewe got her first goal at the start of Q3 to take the lead out to 10-2.

Ireland finally broke the 7-0 streak and went through a decent spell spanning Q3 and 4, matching England’s scoring to make it 12-5; Simpson once again, and Emily Gray tallying for England.

However, Whittle, who had been the creative asset for the team with three assists, scored another for herself from a free position before Faram completed the cycle, after scoring the first, she added the last for a 14-5 victory.

England (1-0) take on Germany (0-1) tomorrow at 8.40am UK Time as the Pool Stages continue.

England Points:Megan Whittle (2,3), Jenny Simpson (4,0), Claire Faram (2,0), Emily Gray (1,1), Camilla Hayes (1,0), Lucy Lynch (1,0), Tilly Shires (1,0), Liv Wimpenny (1,0), Alex Drewe (1,0), Tilly Foster (0,1)