MAIDENHEAD resident Helen Richardson-Walsh has described the atmosphere in Rio as “amazing” as her Great Britain team powered into the quarter-finals of the Olympic hockey tournament.

The 34-year-old midfield star has played a major role in the success so far, netting two goals in the crucial 3-2 win over Argentina in their group game on Wednesday.

She could quite easily have completed a hat-trick when Great Britain were awarded a penalty stroke, but she was unable to beat the keeper.

“I’m annoyed about the stroke but pleased to get the goals I did. Fortunately it didn’t cost us,” said Helen, the former Reading player.

“We were really pleased to get the three points as Argentina are a good team.They played nice hockey, but we’ll learn some lessons and take those forward to the next round.”

Helen, whose partner Kate helped set up her first goal, added: “The atmosphere was amazing, it was rocking. It’s great when the crowds are in and enjoying it. We just want to give them something to cheer.”

Team GB are certainly keeping their travelling fans happy with wins over Australia (2-1), India (3-0) and then Argentina.

Despite that unbeaten run, Richardson-Walsh admitted: “I don’t think we’re firing on all cylinders. At the start we felt comfortable which is good, but this tournament is tough and so anything can happen in the quarter-finals. We’re building momentum and hopefully we can use it.”

Great Britain, who play Japan tonight (Thursday, 12.30an), complete their group games against the USA on Saturday (10pm), with the quarter-finals to come on Monday.

For the British men, however, the tournament has not gone as well as they had hoped.

The team, including Nick Catlin from Pinkneys Green, got off to the worse possible start by losing 4-1 to Belgium in their opening group game.

They then drew 2-2 with New Zealand before blasting complete outsiders Brazil 9-1, only to be brought crashing back to earth with a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Australia on Wednesday.

Catlin, who plays for Holcombe in Kent, nearly snatched a late equaliser, seeing his shot cleared off the line.

The defeat has put a major doubt over their chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages ahead of their final Pool A encounter with Spain on Friday (10pm).