South Africa show no mercy

Clarke played his part in South Africa's win

South Africa 10-1 Barbados

South Africa completed a comprehensive thrashing of Barbados, but were booed off the field for wiping the floor with their opponents.

Skipper captain Greg Nicol grabbed a hat-trick and Mike Cullen scored twice as South Africa recorded an easy victory in Pool 3 at Belle Vue.

We have the points in the bag, so it does not matter

Robert Pullen,
South Africa coach

Justin King started the scoring after three minutes, powering home a drag flick from a penalty corner.

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Three minutes later it was 2-0 courtesy of an Emile Smith strike, before Cullen added a third with a reverse-stick shot.

The fans started to get behind the Barbados side, but it was not long before they conceded a fourth goal when Nicol got his first from the penalty spot.

Barbados went close twice in the opening half to the delight of their growing support, but they found themselves 6-0 down at half-time.

Clyde Abrahams added a seventh in the 40th minute, before the loudest cheer of the match came when Barbados defender Mark Murray's penalty corner strike was deflected into the roof of the net.

Normal service was resumed when Cullen scored his second, and further goals from Nicol - his third - and Craig Jackson completed the scoring to the dismay of the majority of onlookers.

Despite the boos, South Africa coach Robert Pullen was unperturbed at the level of support for the underdogs.

"We have the points in the bag, so it does not matter," said coach Robert Pullen.

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Wales 1-1 Canada

Wales and Canada played out a scrappy draw in Pool 4, leaving both sides with a stiff task to make it to the semi-finals.

Wales took the lead in the second half through Simon Organ's penalty stroke, but it lasted just eight minutes as Canada's Wayne Fernandes earned a share of the spoils.

That was a team where we thought points needed to be taken

Simon Organ

Both sides, who now face tough games against Pakistan and England, showed plenty of spirit but creativity was in short supply.

Wales goalkeeper George Harris twice denied Mike Oliver within the space of a minute as Canada enjoyed the best of the early chances.

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Canada lost Howard Hoskin to the sin bin after just 10 minutes, but Wales were unable to take advantage.

The game became even more disjointed in the second half, but Organ finally broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 50th minute.

Wales' lead was short-lived as Fernandes equalised from a penalty corner, and despite late pressure they were unable to restore their lead.

Despite failing to hold on for the win, Organ admitted they were not too disheartened.

"In terms of world ranking they are the nearest team to us and that was a team where we thought points needed to be taken," he added.

"We are happy with the way we played. It is a big step to play at this level."