A FORMER Deeside Ramblers player has helped England get off to a 100% start at the World Cup in India.

Goalkeeper James Fair, from Pulford, starred in England’s 3-2 win over Australia and also played in Tuesday’s 6-4 success over South Africa.

Both Pool B matches were played at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, and Fair drew praise from England manager Andy Halliday for his heroics against pre-tournament favourites Australia.

The Kookaburras – beaten by England for the first time since 1985 – had 12 penalty corners and 28 shots on target but 29-year-old Fair, who plays for Cannock, excelled.

Halliday said: “I think it’s a measure of how much this team has progressed that we can play poorly and beat Australia.

“James Fair and the penalty corner defence were outstanding.”

Fair, who helped England become European champions last year, began his hockey career with the Tiverton-based Ramblers and was a pupil at The King’s School in Chester.

He was in the Great Britain squad at the Beijing Olympics.

England’s next World Cup match is against former champions Pakistan this afternoon.

Deeside Ramblers still sit proudly at the top of Conference North after yet another win.

On Sunday they were 5-3 winners at home to Harborne.

The prolific Ali Ghazanfar took just 37 minutes to net a hat-trick, with Trevor Merrick’s goal making it 4-0.

Howel Morris replied for Harborne but Ghazanfar grabbed his fourth of the afternoon before Ramblers shipped a couple of consolation goals.

Ramblers are away to the University of Durham this Sunday.

Not content with securing promotion six games before the end of the season, Ramblers’ 2nd team wrapped up the title at the weekend – with four matches to spare.

They beat Wigan 3-2 thanks to a brace of goals from Jeff Price and one from Dave Cheshire.

Deeside’s promotion-chasing third team kept their dreams alive with a 2-1 win over Rhyl, Phil Johnson scored a great penalty corner strike while Kieran Harris also netted.

David Pinnington netted a rare goal as Ramblers 7ths saw off Winnington Park 3-0.

Deeside Ramblers Ladies went down 4-3 in their basement battle with Bowdon 2nds.

Katie Saunders opened the scoring, but Bowdon equalised.

Rachel Dathan made it 2-1, only for Bowdon to hit back again. The pattern continued when another Saunders strike was cancelled out, making it 3-3. A seesaw contest was then settled by a Bowdon winner.