England’s women made it two wins from two on the Gold Coast with success in their Home Nations battle with Wales.

Having beaten South Africa 2-0 in their first match, with goals from Grace Balsdon and Susannah Townsend, they faced a Welsh side that had upset India 3-2 in their opening fixture.

Hannah Martin had an early chance saved, while Sophie Bray just missed Laura Unsworth’s pass to the post at a short corner.

And Hollie Pearne-Webb and Ellie Rayer were denied by a superb double save from Rose Thomas

Captain Alex Danson and Ellie Watton were the next England players to go close to opening the scoring, but Bray had to produce a clearance off the line to deny Wales at a short corner and ensure the first quarter ended goalless.

Maddie Hinch was quickly off her line to avert danger after the restart before England, with Havering’s Emily Defroand in their midfield, took the lead with a Gisele Ansley drag flick into the bottom corner.

It was soon 2-0 as Townsend hammered home her second goal of the tournament, but Wales replied through Eloise Laity in the third quarter.

And Bray deflected a short corner wide, before Hannah Martin made it 3-1 with a cheeky lobbed deflection into the far corner.

Bray fired home the fourth on the backhand and Balsdon’s powerful drag flick completed a fine England win.

England now have a rest day before facing India in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time (12.30am), while the men return to action against Pakistan at 7.30am, having beaten Malaysia 7-0 in their first match.

*The England women’s basketball team lost their first match against Canada, 80-54.

Former Barking Abbey student Melita Emanuel-Carr played for England and head coach Jose Maria Buceta said: “I think the fight was good, the spirit was good and the girls tried to do their best all the time, so I’m proud of them despite the result.”

The men’s team, including Abbey alumni Joe Ikhinmwinn and Robert Gilchrist, as well as Hackney’s Orlan Jackman, face India on Saturday morning (8.30am) after a surprise loss to Scotland in their opening game.