ODIHAM hockey ace Alex Danson scored for England as they opened their Hockey World League campaign in Johannesburg in great style with a 3-0 win over Poland.

England captain Danson netted her side's third goal after a Sophie Bray scored a first-half brace.

England’s dominant performance will give them confidence ahead of their upcoming pool A fixtures with Japan, Ireland and Germany as they battle to progress to the World League Finals in New Zealand later in the year.

It didn’t take long for England to make their mark on the match when Bray struck after just three minutes.

After stealing the ball from a Polish defender inside the opposition area and darting past another, with only the keeper to beat the forward kept her composure and fired between the goalkeeper’s legs.

England continued to dominate and went close through Giselle Ansley’s drag flick and Lily Owsley’s strike before Bray found the net once again.

Danson found space at the top of the circle launching a strike at goal and Bray was on hand to get a clever touch in front of the goalkeeper to double the lead before the first break.

The second quarter saw England in total control of proceedings, owning the ball and playing with a lot of confidence, causing Poland problems while remaining solid in defence and were unfortunate not to lead by more at half-time.

Poland responded in the third quarter calling Maddie Hinch into action and she was equal to the task to keep England’s two goal lead intact.

Shortly into the final quarter England put further distance between themselves and Poland, a fine team move released Danson in the circle and she lifted her effort over the goalkeeper on the reverse.

A mazy run from Danson saw her beat three players but she was then bundled to the ground and awarded a penalty stroke.

However, Giselle Ansley pushed her effort wide of the right post but this was to be the only blip of the game for England as they kept up their intensity to the end and secured victory.

Next up for England are Japan on Wednesday starting at 3pm UK time and two days they face Germany also with a 3pm start.