Robertson chalks up first goal for England

Imogen Robertson, the 18-year-old Millfield pupil who is the season's leading goalscorer in the National League, scored her first England goal yesterday in the 68th minute as England beat Russia 2-1 in their third game of the Champions Challenge in Johannesburg, writes Bill Colwill. The result sends England to the top of the table.

England's young side opened confidently but it was not until the 28th minute that Mel Clewlow put them ahead at a penalty corner. Unable to press home their territorial advantage England allowed the Russians back into the game to equalise in the 52nd minute through Galina Bassaitchuk. No sooner had the Russians equalised than they were reduced to 10 with the first of their two temporary suspensions to allow England to regain the initiative, Robertson scoring with just two minutes remaining.

A late goal from Jill Reeve helped the United States to draw 1-1 with India in a preview of the play-off for the last place in the World Cup, which will now take place in Brussels in mid-April. India had opened he scoring through Sanggai Chanu.

WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE (Johannesburg, SA): US 1 India 1; England 2 Russia 1. Standings: 1 England (P3, Pts7); 2 India (3-5); 3 US (3-5); 4 Korea (2-3); 5 S Africa (2-1); 6 Russia (3-0).