Szentes edge thriller as GB resume Hungarian League campaign

Great Britain captain Fran Leighton and centre forward Angie Winstanley-Smith report from Hungary:

Szentes opened the scoring early on with a well-taken long range effort. Good work in attack from Fiona McCann and Chloe Wilcox won some exclusions in response but GB could not capitalise to level the game.

These missed opportunities enabled Sventes to take hold of the game with two more goals. Goalkeeper Rosie Morris kept GB close at 3-0 down with a fantastic penatly save in the dying seconds of the quarter.

Szentes picked up where they left off and scored from centre forward making it 4-0.  Good defensive work from Vicki Hawkins and Aine Hoy kept Szentes out and helped GB to get on the score sheet soon after as Chloe calmly slotted home cross cage to make it 4-1.

GB won several man-up opportunities through Angie and Becky Kershaw was unlucky with an outside shot but GB couldn’t add to their tally.

Even after another penalty save from Rosie, Szentes continued their rhythm to bring the score to 5-1.

GB's usual nemesis, the third quarter, turned out to be a turning point for our girls.

Despite reversals from the centre forwards either end, several shots over from both teams, and a nasty ‘poke’ (in the eye) for Alex Rutlidge, the score stayed the same for almost half a quarter.

Angie managed to grab a sneaky rebound after a good shot from Aine to make it 5-2. Once again Szentes replied immediately making it 6-2.

Unlike earlier in the match GB responded  with goals from Fiona and Vicky Bowen in centre forward. The quarter finished 6-4 and it was game on for the final eight minutes.

Good work again in defence from GB kept the game close, with Fran and Frankie making steals and countering hard.

Szentes managed to extend their lead after a time out from a controversial exclusion on Hazel Musgrove.

With time against the battling GB girls, Rosie saved, Frankie stole the ball and Chloe hit the bar.

Eventually Angie converted from the CF after lovely build up play from Ciara and Chloe but for a final time Sventes reponded quickly, making the final score 8-5.

Great Britain's Women's Water Polo team, powered by British Gas, have the perfect opportunity to avenge the defeat as they take on Szentes for the second time in two days on Saturday.

Click here for a full list of fixtures.