England's semi-final dreams quashed in quarter-final defeat to Australia

England’s hopes of a first World Championship semi-final appearance were quashed as they suffered a 19-12 defeat to Australia in Thursday’s quarter-final.

England’s top goal-scorer Alex Drewe bagged another four goals while Lucy Ford and Ellie Racle both hit a brace in a game that ran away from the women in red in the second half.

Unlike in previous games, England got off to a really fast start and were a goal to the good after three and a half minutes when assistant captain Laura Beaman scored.

Katie Hooper pulled Australia level two minutes later but a quick-fire double from Drewe as well as a first for Ford saw England pull 4-1 ahead.

Just before quarter-time Charlotte Whinnen scored a second for the Aussies which only served to propel England further as they pushed for more goals.

And more goals is what they received in the second quarter when Ford, Racle, Sofia Best, and Iandra Lamplugh all scored to put England six goals ahead at 8-2.

Going into half-time, and perhaps a sign of things to come, Emma Green scored two to put Australia within four goals of England.

In a frantic opening nine and a half minutes of the third quarter, Australia hit seven without reply in an incredible turnaround, leaving England chasing the game and three goals behind their opponents.

Drewe scored her hat-trick goal and England’s ninth before Australia went on a five-goal scoring run that left England with just a little bit too much to do towards the end of the fourth quarter.

The ever-reliable Drewe scored her fourth and Racle hit her second either side of four more goals from Australia as the game finished 19-12.

Australia proceed to the semi-finals where they’ll play USA while England have a play-in game against Ireland at 4:30pm (UK) today with a spot in the fifth-place game up for grabs.

England 12-19 Australia (4-2, 4-2, 1-9, 3-6)

England scorers: Alex Drewe (4G, 1A), Lucy Ford (2G, 2A), Laura Beaman (1G, 2A), Iandra Lamplugh (1G, 2A), Sofia Best (1G), Ellie Racle (2G), Lauren Lewis (1G, 1A), Rosie Bathurst (2A), Zara Russell (1A), Georgie Rutter (1A).