There have been mixed fortunes for GB's hockey teams in Rio as the pool stages draw to a close.

The British men face a crucial game against Spain on Friday (9pm BST) to stand any opportunity of qualifying for the last eight and a chance of a medal after losing 2-1 to Australia in their fourth game in the early hours of Thursday.

Goals from Aran Zalewski and Jacob Whetton sunk Bobby Crutchley’s team despite a penalty corner conversion from Chatham-born Holcombe star Ashley Jackson two minutes from time.

The defeat left GB fifth in a group with just four qualifiers, and needing to better New Zealand’s result against table-toppers Belgium – the game which follows the GB v Spain clash in Deodoro.

George Pinner, GB and Holcombe keeper, said: “It was frustrating to lose. We came out wanting three points and nearly salvaged a draw at the end there.

“It is disappointing but it is the first time in this tournament we have put up a proper performance and that is something we can build on going into our last game against Spain.

“We will look to go out and get the win against Spain and hopefully that should be enough to take us through.”

GB captain and Holcs midfielder Barry Middleton, added: “We knew coming into the Spain game, wherever we were, we would want to win it. So this doesn’t change much, it just means we need to do our jobs right.

“We are showing we are in the right place. We will go away, have a good rest and come back as strong as we possibly can for Spain.”

A 4-1 defeat to Belgium in their opening game, secured despite a stunning strike from Holcombe’s Nick Catlin, was followed by a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, which saw Holcs’ GB skipper Barry Middleton on the scoresheet.

They did crush Olympic debutants Brazil 9-1 on Tuesday night, with Middleton, Jackson and Sam Ward all on target, although they did trail to an early goal by Holcombe stalwart Stephane Vehrle-Smith – Brazil’s first at an Olympics.

Holcombe players Dan Fox, Iain Lewers and George Pinner have also started every game for GB.

In stark contrast to the predicament the men find themselves in, GB’s women ensured they progressed through their group with two games still to spare after winning their opening three matches.

A 3-2 victory over Argentina on Wednesday night secured their place in the last eight, although there were a few nervy moments after a 2-0 half-time lead and 3-0 second-half advantage was whittled away late on.

GB had overcame old foes Australia 2-1 last Saturday night with Canterbury’s Susannah Townsend setting up the winning goal and Holcombe’s Maddie Hinch starring in goal.
Holcs’ Nic White scored in the 3-0 win over India on Monday night, with team-mates Shona McCallin and Sam Quek also in action.

Having already qualified from the group, GB take on Japan on Thursday and the USA on Saturday.