OWS THAT FOR GB #Rio 2016: Great #Britain’s women clinch victory over arch rivals Australia to begin #Olympic hockey campaign in style - TheSun

Lily Owsley and Alex Danson struck the vital goals as the side stamped down their marker on Pool B in Rio.

Victory was also a dose of revenge for Danny Kerry’s side after they were thrashed 4-1 by Australia in the Champions Trophy at the end of June.

After an early scare when Crista Cullen was briefly floored by a close-range shot which struck her in the stomach, Britain took the lead on 26 minutes.

A slick team move  was eventually finished in style by Owsley, who was a spectator when some of her team-mates won bronze in London four years ago.

Moments later Georgina Morgan hit the post at the other end as Maddie Hinch was beaten for one of the few times in the contest.

But Morgan made no mistake three minutes into the third quarter from a penalty corner to level the scores.

But Britain were not to be denied and they reclaimed a deserved lead in the third quarter.

An opportunity looked to have eluded Danson when she appeared to have turned into trouble as she closed in on goal, but the 31-year-old cleverly reversed direction to fire into the net.

Australia piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but Hinch was superb as Britain’s last line of defence and they held on to claim all three points.