DEPLETED ENGLAND FALL TO PENALTY CORNERS

England's last opportunity to come away with more than one point from the round-robin stages of the Women's Champion's Trophy in Sydney were thwarted by China earlier today. China, whose record in this tournament before the game matched England's (three defeats and one draw), opened the scoring after 23 minutes with a penalty corner strike by their star Olympian Ma Yibo.

Fu Boarong scored China's second early in the second half and England's hopes were briefly raised when Becky Herbert replied from a penalty corner shortly afterwards. It was Herbert's second goal of the tournament. But China's penalty corner striking proved decisive - China's modest position in the table belies their penalty corner conversion rate – and Song Qingling and Zhao Yudiao scored from corners to give China a 4-1 victory.

England meet China again tomorrow in the 5^th/6^th place play-off. Coach Danny Kerry will have a reduced squad to pick from with key players Helen Richardson and Alex Danson being unavailable due to illness. Of his available fit players he was only able to rest 'keeper Beth Storry today.

In other matches Australia overcame the Netherlands 2-1 to finish second in the table and secure themselves a place in the finals tomorrow. The other finalists are Argentina, who played out a 0-0 draw against Germany today.

Table at completion of round-robin stage.

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
1	Argentina	4	3	1	0	8	4	10
2	Netherlands	4	2	2	0	6	4	8
3	Australia	4	2	1	1	8	3	7
4	Germany	4	2	0	2	6	6	6
5	China	5	1	1	3	9	9	4
6	England	5	0	1	3	5	16	1

 

DEPLETED ENGLAND FALL TO PENALTY CORNERS

England's last opportunity to come away with more than one point from the round-robin stages of the Women's Champion's Trophy in Sydney were thwarted by China earlier today. China, whose record in this tournament before the game matched England's (three defeats and one draw), opened the scoring after 23 minutes with a penalty corner strike by their star Olympian Ma Yibo.

Fu Boarong scored China's second early in the second half and England's hopes were briefly raised when Becky Herbert replied from a penalty corner shortly afterwards. It was Herbert's second goal of the tournament. But China's penalty corner striking proved decisive - China's modest position in the table belies their penalty corner conversion rate – and Song Qingling and Zhao Yudiao scored from corners to give China a 4-1 victory.

England meet China again tomorrow in the 5^th/6^th place play-off. Coach Danny Kerry will have a reduced squad to pick from with key players Helen Richardson and Alex Danson being unavailable due to illness. Of his available fit players he was only able to rest 'keeper Beth Storry today.

In other matches Australia overcame the Netherlands 2-1 to finish second in the table and secure themselves a place in the finals tomorrow. The other finalists are Argentina, who played out a 0-0 draw against Germany today.

Table at completion of round-robin stage.

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
1	Argentina	4	3	1	0	8	4	10
2	Netherlands	4	2	2	0	6	4	8
3	Australia	4	2	1	1	8	3	7
4	Germany	4	2	0	2	6	6	6
5	China	5	1	1	3	9	9	4
6	England	5	0	1	3	5	16	1

 

AUSTRALIA GIVE ENGLAND ‘KICK UP THE BACKSIDE’

England played their penultimate match in the Women's Champions Trophy in Sydney today when they played the hosts.

England had got off to good starts in their preceding three matches but they struggled against the Hockeyroos, conceding their first goal from a Nicole Arrold penalty corner after 13 minutes. A penalty corner conversion by Casey Eastham took the home side into the second half on 2-0 and, in torrential rain, Arrold scored her second early in half to build on the Australian lead. Hope Monro added to the tally in a match that ended 4-0.

England captain, Kate Walsh, who has suffered a number of serious playing injuries over the last few years, had to leave the pitch later in the first half after being hit in the face, although she did return in the second half. Sporting a black eye and three stitches, Walsh commented after the match, "We are really, really gutted. We got rolled over today. We need to go home and work hard; today was a bit of a kick up the backside."

The result means that England will meet China twice this weekend, first in their last match in the round-robin stage, and again the next day in the 5^th/6^th play-off.

In the only other match played today, Argentina drew against The Netherlands 2-2. The result guarantees Argentina a place in Sunday's final.

Table after four matches:

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
1	Argentina	4	3	1	0	8	4	10
2	Netherlands	4	2	2	0	6	4	8
3	Australia	4	2	1	1	8	3	7
4	Germany	4	2	0	2	6	6	6
5	China	4	0	1	3	5	8	1
6	England	4	0	1	3	4	12	1

 

Tomorrow is a rest day.

England squad against Australia: Laura Unsworth replaced Jo Ellis. Beth Storry replaced Becky Duggan.

ENGLAND SLIP TO BOTTOM AFTER EARLY LEAD

England slipped to the bottom of the table after playing their third match in the Women's Champions Trophy in Sydney earlier today.

In a repeat of the two previous matches, England opened the scoring when Rebecca Herbert, earning her 50^th cap, deflected a Chloe Rogers' cross into the Argentine net after only six minutes. England maintained their one goal lead until the 19^th minute when Augustina Garcia scored from a penalty corner.

Argentina went into the break on 2-1 after Carla Rebecchi scored Argentina's second shortly before the hooter. Noel Barrionuevo's penalty corner strike midway through the second half gave Argentina a 3-1 win.

Argentina have an unbeaten record and go to the top of the table. Yesterday's clash between Germany and The Netherlands ended in favour of the Dutch by a single goal and they assume second place. Germany and China, who have now played four games each, met today with the Germany emerging 3-2.

England's next match is against Australia, who have had a modest campaign by their standards, having beaten Germany on the opening day, but recording a defeat against Argentina and losing to China.

England squad against Argentina: As previously published except Becky Duggan replaced Beth Storry in goal and Laura Unsworth was replaced by Ashleigh Ball.

Table as at end of play on 15/7/09

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS
1	Argentina	3	3	0	0	6	2	9
2	Netherlands	3	2	1	0	4	2	7
3	Germany	4	2	0	2	6	6	6
4	Australia	3	1	1	1	4	3	4
5	China	4	0	1	3	5	8	1
6	England	3	0	1	2	4	8	1

 

ENGLAND GIRLS SECURE BRONZE IN EUROPE

England's under 18 Girls managed to secure a bronze medal in the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships in Nivelles, Belgium, over the weekend.

England had lost their semi final match against The Netherlands on Friday, with the Dutch girls scoring three in the first fifteen minutes. Kate Maxey was able to pull one back from a penalty corner in the 22^nd minute but that was to be England's only goal in a match that ended 4-1 in favour of the Dutch.

Meeting Belgium in the bronze medal game on Saturday, the match remained at 0-0 until England were awarded a penalty stroke three minutes before half time. The penalty was converted by Rebecca Dru. Alice Sharp made it two for England from a penalty corner 12 minutes into the second half, and although Belgium looked as if they might make a late comeback, they were unable to capitalise on Florence Deley's 60^th minute goal. Final score 2-1 to England.

The Netherlands beat Germany 6-3 in the final to take the Championships.

The boys had less luck. Playing Belgium in the semi-finals, England fell to the shooting talents of Matthew Cobbaert, who scored four times in open play. Although Nick Giles opened the scoring for England, they were 6-2 down after 59 minutes. Despite staging a late rally, with Domic Bowdon scoring a second and Jonny Kinder scoring the last goal of the match, England could not claw their way back into the game and went down to a final score of 6-4.

England faced disappointment in their bronze medal match against the Dutch, after Aathavan Lingeswaran equalised for England early in the second half. England clung on to the 1-1 scoreline but eventually lost 2-1 after only two minutes of golden goal extra time.

Belgium eventually won the tournament by beating Germany 3-2 in the final. Scotland finished seventh and are relegated to the Trophy competition when it is next held (2011).

ENGLAND DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER EARLY LEAD

England's women managed to repeat the flying start they had against The Netherlands yesterday when they met Germany in their second Champions Trophy match in Sydney. Unfortunately, like yesterday, the fairy tale start did not end in a win.

Chloe Rogers gave England an early lead, scoring from a penalty corner after only two minutes. Both sides had plenty of opportunities as further corners were awarded but it was not until 10 minutes before half-time that Janine Beermann equalised from open play. Germany dominated the opening encounters in the second half with Fanny Rinne and Maike Stockel scoring in the first 10 minutes of play.

Final score 3-1 to Germany. After the match skipper Kate Walsh commented, "We're disappointed today. The game waent away from us a bit in the second half but we still made some chances and this is all a process working towards the Europeans."

England have a two day rest before they play Argentina on Wednesday.

England Squad against Germany: As yesterday except Gemma Darrington played in place of Ashleigh Ball.

Other results from Sydney:

Australia 0 Argentina 1
China 0 Netherlands 1

Table after two days (two matches): 1. Argentina 6 pts (+2), 2. Netherlands 4 pts (+1), 3. Australia 3 pts (+1), 4. Germany 3 pts (+0), 5. England 1pt (-2), 6. China 0 pts (-2).

ENGLAND CAUSE DUTCH UPSET

England got off to an encouraging start in their Samsung Women's Champions Trophy campaign in Sydney today (Saturday). Playing the Dutch, England drew first blood when Katie Long (pictured) scored the first goal of the tournament after 16 minutes. Taking the 1-0 lead into the break, Alex Danson netted England's second shortly after the restart.

Despite continued pressure from the Dutch and some excellent goalkeeping by Beth Storry, it was not until the closing 10 minutes that the Dutch managed to crack open England's defence. First Marilyn Agliotti scored from open play and then, with seconds left on the clock, Maartje Paumen scored the equaliser. Final score 2-2.

An excellent start against the world's number one, and possibly the upset of the tournament. England play Germany tomorrow, a side with an excellent pedigree but one England know they can beat.

ENGLAND SQUAD AGAINST THE NETHERLANDS: Beth Storry (GK) and Kate Walsh (both SCHC, The Netherlands), Natalie Seymour (Canterbury), Chloe Strong (Pinoke, The Netherlands), Laura Unsworth and Nicola White (both Loughborough Students), Sally Walton and Joe Ellis (both Bowdon Hightown), Ashleigh Ball (Slough), Susie Gilbert (University of Birmingham), Helen Richardson (Den Bosch, The Netherlands), Chloe Rogers, Kerry Williams and Katie Long (all Leicester), Alex Danson (Klein Zwitserland, The Netherlands) and Becky Herbert (Kampong, The Netherlands). Did not play: Becky Duggan (GK) (Trojans) and Gemma Darrington (Leicester).

ENGLAND LOSE OUT ON FINAL PLACES

England's boys and girls will play in the bronze medal play-offs in the EuroHockey Youth Championships in Nivelles, Belgium, after both lost their semi final matches today (Friday).

England's boys were beaten 6-4 by Belgium and now have a difficult match tomorrow in the bronze medal match where they will meet The Netherlands. Tomorrow's final will be between Belgium and Germany.

The girls were beaten in their semi-final by The Netherlands 4-1. They will play Belgium for a possible bronze medal tomorrow, whilst Germany and the Netherlands will contest the final.