MELKSHAM'S Liam Sanford became the first-ever current Team Bath Buccaneers men’s player to represent England Hockey at senior level as he helped his country to a 5-2 win over South Africa in Cape Town.

Talented full-back Sanford, 20, who has been selected for England’s Lottery-funded central programme after impressing in trials, made his debut from the bench during Thursday’s impressive victory.

Sanford is currently in the Royal Air Force as a flight operations assistant, while University of Bath Sports Performance student Peter Scott, supported by a Trendell Sports Scholarship, was also in the squad for England’s opening match of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle.

National coach Bobby Crutchley, a University of Bath Hall of Fame for Sport inductee and former Team Bath Buccaneers Head Coach, said: "We’re very pleased with the win and the team put in some excellent spells in the game.

“Unsurprisingly we were a little inconsistent, the group are learning about international hockey, but it was nice to pick up a victory.”

England will play South Africa again and face Germany twice during the week-long tour, which is a key part of their preparations for this summer’s Hockey World League Semi-Final in London.