Great Britain Women were beaten 4-1 by the Netherlands in Sheffield today, meaning the two-game international challenge series finished level with one win apiece.

GB made eight changes from Thursday’s winning squad to give as many players as possible a chance in a game situation before naming their final World Championship roster.

Netherlands opened the scoring in the third minute through Nicky Tjin-A-Ton and had the better of the play throughout the first period, but the single goal was all that separated the teams at the break.

Bieke van Nes added a second early in the second session and she put the game beyond GB with another goal in the 43rd minute.

Julie Zwarthoed made it 4-0 with just over five minutes to go, before Louise Adams grabbed a consolation for GB.

Coach James Ashton said: “It was a difficult game today, but we knew from the way Netherlands finished yesterday’s match that they’d be fired up today.

The biggest difference is that we didn’t play as well as we did on Thursday. Not only did we change the personnel but the team dynamics had changed – how the players worked together, how they communicated with each other – it was not as clean and crisp as in that first game.

“We knew that there was pressure on today’s squad, not only because of the win yesterday but the way the team played. Some players soaked up that pressure and stepped and performed, but there were quite a few that didn’t.

“I think when we finalise the squad there will be changes and I think some players realise that now. These two games have helped to justify the decisions we will make to select a squad to take this programme forward.

Great Britain’s Division 2A championship is in Bled, Slovenia from 2nd – 7th April, where they play DPR Korea, Korea, Poland, Croatia and hosts Slovenia.

(Image permission: Karl Denham)