England edge past India for bronze at Commonwealth Games

England have beaten India to the final spot on the podium for men's hockey at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Defeat to hosts Australia in Friday's semi-final had condemned England to a bronze medal at best on the Gold Coast, but they bounced back from that result to end their campaign on a high.

The men had seen England's women thrash India 6-0 in their own bronze-medal match earlier in the day, but this contest was a much closer affair as Robert Crutchley's side took it 2-1.

England took the lead through Sam Ward less than seven minutes into the contest, but any hopes that the quick start hinted at a comfortable evening to come were soon dashed.

A second-quarter equaliser from Varun Kumar sent the two sides into half time all square, leaving India in a better position than at the same stage of the group game which they went on to win 4-3.

However, a second from Ward in the third quarter proved to be enough as the fourth passed scoreless, with England holding on to win bronze for the second Games in a row.

India - who won silver in 2010 and 2014 - miss out on a medal, meanwhile, while Australia and New Zealand will do battle for the gold later today.