Middleton plays his club hockey for HGC in the Netherlands

Captain Barry Middleton scored twice as England opened their EuroHockey Nations campaign with a 5-0 win over Austria.

Ashley Jackson converted a trademark flick from a 12th-minute penalty corner before Middleton deflected a cross to extend their lead after the break.

James Tindall and Middleton scored twice in two minutes to seal victory before Iain Mackay sealed it with his third senior goal four minutes later.

England women suffered a 5-0 defeat to host nation the Netherlands.

Kate Walsh's team had opened their campaign with a 4-0 win over Russia but had no answer to the penalty corner prowess of the Dutch.

Maartje Paumen opened the scoring after nine minutes direct from a penalty corner.

We didn't play particularly well today but we're off to a good start England men's team manager Peter Nicholson

England were unable to capitalise on two penalty corner opportunities and were punished when Kim Lammers doubled the lead before the break.

Paumen scored two more penalty corners to complete her hat-trick and made it four late on as the Olympic champions closed out victory.

Goalkeeper Beth Storry picked up a shoulder injury attempting to save the penalty corner that led to Paumen's third goal after 60 minutes.

And with reserve stopper Becky Duggan not in the matchday squad, defender Sally Walton deputised for the remainder of the game.

"The team played well to instruction and in truth I was happy enough with the first half performance," said head coach Danny Kerry.

"We tried to put a few things right in the second half but the injury to Beth was obviously disruptive to that."

The England men's team play Olympic and World Champions Germany on Monday.

And after their win over Austria, team manager Peter Nicholson said: "We missed a number of good chances, particularly in the first half.

"In the second half we controlled the game like the first but we were much more clinical."

"We didn't play particularly well today but we're off to a good start and the focus is now on preparing for the game against Germany.

"For the players, it's about getting the food and liquid on board and we'll watch Germany against Belgium on Sunday afternoon."

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to England's opening result

The match was played amid glorious sunshine and soaring temperatures in the Wagener Stadium in Holland - and England took the game to the Austrians from the start.

Despite dominating, England were wasteful in front of goal in the opening half.

After the break, however, Middleton, who plays his club hockey in the Netherlands for HGC, settled England's nerves when he doubled their lead.

Austria offered little in attack and won their sole penalty corner with six minutes remaining but they failed to substantially trouble the English defence from the set piece.

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