COMEBACK KATE TAKES ENGLAND TO MADRID

Kate Walsh captained the England team in Rome for the first time in the women's World Cup Qualifiers, having recovered from a neck injury suffered in training. Playing Scotland in their penultimate Pool A game, goals by Walsh, Rachel Walker, and Lucilla Wright(2), gave them the 4-1 victory and a ticket to the finals in Madrid. With a marginally better goal difference England top Pool A, with Japan in second place. Both teams have one more game to play, but third place China are six points behind. The top four team from the competition qualify for Madrid.

Pool B remains very open, with two more games to play. Korea and the USA top the pool with seven points each, but theoretically all but one of the other teams could overtake them.

England play their final match on Tuesday against Japan.

WALSH LEADS ENGLAND OUT IN VITAL GAMES AGAINST THE SCOTS, by Pat Rowley

Captain Kate Walsh will play for the first time at the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Rome today after missing England’s first three games because of injury. She was hit on the throat during penalty corner practice in Rome a week ago and has since been back to England for medical tests. In her absence England has won all three of their matches, beating Ukraine 3-0, top seeds China 2-1 and France 10-0.

Walsh didn’t get back in time to see England achieve their biggest win over the French for 82 years and send France to their heaviest defeat for 17 years. Today Walsh leads out England against Scotland knowing that a fourth win will almost guarantee them a place in this year’s World Cup even before the last round of group matches. England must be optimistic of beating Scotland comfortably for the Scots have already lost to France. But Scotland, without a point, should not be short of incentive. They have to beat England and Ukraine in their final two group matches to keep alive any hope of their World Cup qualification. History is against them. England beat them 5-0 at the Commonwealth Games, and that was the 16^th time in succession.

TEN-GOAL VICTORY MARRED BY BIMSON INJURY

An on-form England women's side gave the women from France a lesson in hockey in the world-cup qualifiers in Rome this evening. Goals from Rachel Walker, Crista Cullen, Alex Danson, Lucilla Wright, Helen Grant (2), Lisa Wooding, Helen Richardson, and Sally Walton, put England on top of Pool A, ahead of Japan, who are also on 9 points but have a slightly inferior goal difference. The sweet smell of victory was somewhat spoilt by a sixth minute injury to Jenny Bimson. She left the field with a cut above her eye and was later taken to hospital to receive stitches. After the match coach Danny Kerry said "We put together a very thorough abd professional performance, in which we kept pressing until the last minute.

England's next match is on Sunday when they play Scotland, who are currently bottom of the pool. Currently leading Pool B is the USA, with Korea in second place. The top two sides from each pool will qualify for the World Cup in Madrid in September/October, with a fifth place to be played for from the teams who finish 3rd and 4th in their respective pools.

CULLEN AND RICHARDSON BREAK CHINA

In the second pool match of the women's World Cup qualifier in Rome, England beat China 2-1 with penalty corner goals from Crista Cullen and Helen Richardson. This victory puts England into second place in Pool A behind Japan, who have a better goal difference. England play France tommorrow (Friday).

STICK FARCE PRELUDE TO ENGLAND VICTORY

England's women got off to a good start in their campaign to qualify for the World Cup in September. Playing their first match in the qualifying tournament in Rome today, England faced the Ukraine. However, there was an element of farce to the match when nine of the Ukrainian team's sticks were ruled unlawful for having a bow which did not meet the recent change in FIH regs. Six players missed the warm up whilst they went to trade stands to purchase new sticks. Once the match was underway England went into the lead halfway through the second half with a field goal by Jo Ellis, followed by a Mel Clewlow penalty corner strike just before the break. England extended their lead to three with a second half goal by Bowdon's Sally Walton. Final score 3-0 to England. In other matches, China defeated Scotland 2-0, whilst Ireland drew 1-1 in their match against the USA.

TalkHockeyRadio has a reporter at the World Cup qualifiers and we hope to bring you reports from Rome on our podcast at www.TalkHockeyRadio.co.uk in our May edition.

WALSH INJURY SETBACK FOR ENGLAND

The women's World Cup qualifiers start in Rome today, but England will be facing their opening matches without captain Kate Walsh. Walsh was injured yesterday during a penalty corner practice, when she was struck in the throat by a deflected ball - ironically, this on a day when England Hockey banned the wearing of goalkeeper's helmets by defenders following advice from the FIH. Walsh is expected to recover sufficiently to play in the later matches in the competition, but meanwhile Leicester's Helen Richardson will take over the captaincy.

England's opening match is against the Ukraine. Other teams in England's pool are China, France, Japan, and Scotland. The rankings would suggest that England will finish third in the pool, but the recent performance of England's men in Changzhou has shown that the form book can be overturned. The teams are playing for places in the World Cup, due to be held in Madrid starting in September. A link to both men's and women's World Cup sites can be found on our main site.

FINAL MATCHES FROM CHNAGZHOU

The five qualifying nations for the men's hockey World Cup in Monchengladbach in September are now known. England, who had already qualified by vitue of finishing at the top of their pool, beat favourites Pakistan 3-1 to take the bronze. The gold/silver match was between New Zealand and Korea, the Blacksticks winning 4-1. Joining England, Pakistan, New Zealand and Korea, will be Japan, who beat the France 2 - 1 to finish 5th.

The England management must surely take some encouragement from these results. Not only did England come third, but for once they started strong and kept up their performance throughout the tournamnt. Reading's Richard Mantell topped the scoring list for the competition with 10 goals, but another England player, James Tindall, shares with Japan's Takahiko Yamobori the runners up place in the top scorers list with five apeice.

News of the EHL play offs, Girls County Championship (we were there!) and other competitions will appear on this blog tomorrow.

ENGLAND LOSE OUT TO NEW ZEALAND IN CHANGZHOU

In the re-arranged Men's World Cup Qualifier semi-final which had been postponed due to rain, New Zealand beat England 3-1. James Tindall scored England's only goal (FG) on 45 minutes. England now go into the play-off for the Bronze.

RAIN DELAYS PLAY UNTIL SATURDAY

The rain in China falls mainly on the semi-finals, or so it seems. Both have been postponed until Saturday morning in the World Cup qualifiers in Changzhou. England's match against New Zealand is due to be played at 09:30 local time.

RAIN DELAYS START OF ENGLAND MATCH

England's match to gain a place in the final of the World Cup qualifier in Changzhou has been delayed by torrential rain, which has flooded the pitch. The lastest news is that rain continues to fall and no start time has yet been given.

France, who are fighting for the remaining qualifying place to go to the World Cup in Monchengladbach in September, will now face Japan. Earlier today, France defeated Belgium after penalty strokes and Japan beat Ireland 2-1.

THAMIN ROBS BELGIANS OF CUP QUALIFICATION

The surprise outfit in the World Cup Qualifiers in Changzhou, the men from France, have progressed a step nearer to the World Cup. Ealier today they beat Belgium on penalty strokes, the hero of the hour being their 'keeper Julian Durchon who made two early saves in the penalty barrage. Earlier in the match Luycx had opened the score for Belgium after only a few minutes. Durchon replied for the French before the break, and the game remained at stalemate until the outcome was decided by strokes. The Belgians will be bitterly disappointed by this result. Having lead Pool A for much of the tournament they now find themselves contesting a 6th / 7th place in the competition. More news from Changzhou later today.

On the domestic front Chelmsford are hosting the EHL play-offs this weekend. The outcome of the matches will determine the shape of the revised format national league for the 2006-2007 season. Over the same weekend, the Girls County Championships are being played at Redbridge.

LATEST FROM WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

The final pool games have been played in the World Cup qualifiers in Changzhou. Wins by Korea and New Zealand mean that they qualify for the men's Hockey World Cup in Monchengladbach in September. France were defeated by Japan and slump back to 4th place in Pool B. However, the French could yet qualify by virtue of the still to be decided fifth qualifying place. On Friday they play Belgium from England's pool. The winner of this match goes on to play the winner of the other crossover match, between Japan and Ireland, to decide the final qualifying place.

England topped Pool A, with Pakistan in second place. Although both have qualified, they still have classification games to play, with England playing New Zealand and Pakistan playing Korea on Friday.

MATT FINISH TAKES GLOSS OFF BELGIANS

England have qualified for the World Cup in Monchengladbach in September, thanks to a Matt Daly goal in the first four minutes of play against Belgium in their final pool match. England now replace Belgium at the top of their pool in the World Cup qualifiers in Changzhou and automatically qualify by virtue of finishing in the first two. Second in the pool are Pakistan, who suffered a surprising setback, being held 2-2 by outsiders Ireland. Belgium now slip from top to third, and will have to play the third placed team in Pool B to secure the remaining ticket to Germany in September.

England’s next match in Changzhou will be against the second place team in Pool B on Friday. Pool B is proving to be very competitive and, with matches outstanding, potential opponents include France, Korea, New Zealand and Japan.

FRANCE SURPRISE LEADERS IN POOL B

A 4-1 victory over Malaysia earlier today puts France at the top of Pool B in the World Cup qualifier in Changzhou. They play Japan tomorrow, who beat China 4-2 in the following game this morning. Korea, who drew against New Zealand in their penultimate pool match, now stand on eight points with France, with only goal difference separating them. England play group leaders Belgium tomorrow in Pool A and a win would put England amonst the qualifiers for theWorld Cup. Second place in England's pool are Pakistan, whose final match is against the unfancied Irish. In the event that England lose and Pakistan draw, England's goal difference of +10 may enough to guarantee them a place in the final. Otherwise, England will find themselves playing the third placed team in Pool B. Amongst the candidates for this slot are a number of Englands 'bogie' teams, such as Korea and New Zealand. Their best shot is likely to be an outright win against the Belgians tomorrow.

HAT-TRICK DOERNER DOES FOR READING by Peter Savage at Reading

A brave Reading effort was foiled by a class act by the Dutch from Bloemendaal. Playing in the finals of the European Cup-Winners Cup, Bloemendaal had the home side pinned down in their own half for most of the opening period. Only some stout defending and a world-class performance by Simon Mason in the Reading goal kept the Dutch in check. It took 48 minutes for them to open their account, with a field goal by Nick Meijer. Reading were almost immediately back in the game with a penalty corner strike by John Wyatt, but this was followed by a series of penalty corners converted by Bloemendaal's corner specialist, Luke Doerner. Mancheet Kocher, managed to pull one back for the home side, but the Dutch ran out as deserved winners, 4-2. Reading must be wondering how they might have faired had it not been for the absence of their continigent with the England squad in China. Simon Mason won the award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

SEE-SAW GAME PUTS ENGLAND QUALIFICATION ON BALANCE

England's prospects of qualification for September's World Cup received a set-back in Chanzhou today when they lost to Pakistan in their penultimate pool match. England took a first half lead through a penalty corner strike by Reading's Richard Mantell. Pakistan were soon on even terms thanks to Mudassa Ali Khan and a penalty corner by Rehan BUTT. The second half showed signs of an England revival when Richard Mantell's brother, Simon, netted in open play. However, a field goal by Muhammad Saqlain gave Pakistan the victory; 3-2. England must win in the final pool game against Belgium on Wednesday in order to guarantee qualification. If they finish third in the pool they have the saftey net of one place for the fifth placed team in the tournament.

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, Leceister have taken the bronze medal in the women's European Club Championship, winning 4-1 against Viktoria Smolevichi. In Reading, the Spanish side Campo de Madrid beat Club an der Alster to take the bronze in the men's competition. Reading play later today for the opportunity to win gold.

Photos from Reading (Day 3)

Photos of the match between CA Montrouge and KHC Dragons, and Reading and Club an der Alster, plus a star of the future?

MASON'S FLIGHT CREATES GREAT ESCAPE FROM GERMANS by Peter Savage in Reading

In their final Pool 'B' match against Club an de Alster, Reading's fortunes hung on the cusp between a place in the finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup and a playing for the bronze medal. Two goals down, Reading staged a remarkable second half revival with a penalty corner strike and penalty stroke by captain Robert Todd. Alex Jones put Reading ahead with a field goal in the 50th minute, but in a chilling reminder of yesterday's game against the Russians, Christian Achtmann restored parity with a 60th minute penalty corner. Destined to play for the bronze medal, and with seconds left on the clock, a Simon Mason trade-mark drop kick from his circle dopped into the opposing twenty-five and moments later, with two-seconds left on the clock, Reading were awarded a penalty corner. Rob Todd's conversion brought the crowd to its feet and a desolute German team fell to their knees in disbelief. Reading are through to tomorrows final against the champions of pool 'A', Bleomentaal, who earlier won their final pool match against Club de Campo de Madrid.

Meanwhile in Edinburgh, Leicester Ladies won through to the bonze medal play offs in the women's competition.

Tomorrow (Monday) England's men resume their World Cup qualifying campaign against favourites Pakistan. England have not dropped a point so far, but only a victory in this match will guarantee them a place in the finals.

Photos from Reading

Photos from yesterdays game between Reading and Dinamo Electrostal in the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Correction to our blog of 15/4/06

The England player yellow carded against Canada was Richard Alexander and not Barry Middleton as we originally reported. Our apologies to Barry, but our source was a semi-official one!

WATTS NOT ENOUGH TO TURN OFF ELECTRIC DINAMO by Peter Savage in Reading.

Reading struggled against Dinamo Electrostal in day two of the European Cup Winners Cup here in Reading. The Russian outsiders surprised the home side with some enterprising play, scoring in the eleventh minute by a goal in open play from Alexei Mamoshikov. Reading were not back on level terms until the late in the second half when the absence of Mikheev (yellow card) allowed Reading skipper, Robert Todd, to pull one back from a penalty corner. With five minutes showing on the clock a stunning goal by Andrew Watts appeared to put Reading back in the driving seat, but the celebrations were short lived. Azarov netted for the Russians and, despite some promising moves, Reading could not find the goal in the remaining few seconds. Final score: 2-2. Readings prospects in this tournament must now seem gravely in doubt. They meet the German side Club an der Alster tomorrow. Only a four goal clear win would guarantee them a place in the final. The worst case scenario could see Reading fighting to keep England’s place in the ‘A’ division of this competition. Their fortune lays in their hands and those of Scot’s rivals, Western Wildcats, who pay Elecrostal tomorrow.

In Edinburgh, Leicester had better luck against a Dinamo side in the women’s tournament. Playing Dinamo Sumchanka, they scored six, with goals from Crista Cullen (3), Helen Richardson, Vanessa Hawkins, and Rebecca Herbert.

READING DUO STAR IN CHANGZHOU

Reading's loss is England's gain. Whilst Reading struggled to overcome Glasgow Western in the European Cup Winners' Cup yesterday, their players were finding the net on England duty. Playing against Canada in the World Cup qualifiers in China, Reading's penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell put two passed the Canadians for no reply in the first twenty-five minutes of the match. Middelton was sin-binned in the last minutes of the first half, and during the power play situation the Canadians pulled two back thanks to Lee and Short. Shortly after the break, England regained their lead with two field goals from James Tindall. Reading player Jonty Clarke, who earlier in the match had hobbled off with a leg injury, came back to make the tally five for England. Canada had a chance to come back into the game when they pulled one back, courtesy of Pereira, who collected a rebound off the crossbar. Final score, England 5: Canada 3. England manager Pete Nicholson said "We are delighted with this victory, and for gaining nine points from our three games. This was our target at this stage of the competition, and gives us a great opportunity to qualify going into the next two matches"

England's next match is against Pakistan on Monday. Pakistan started out as favourites to top this pool, but their performance in the tournament so far has been well below expectations.

MASON SAVES, WYATT SCORES ON THE REBOUND

Reading struggled to gain three points against Western Wildcats in their opening match in the European Cup Winners Cup in front of a home crowd this afternoon. Reading nearly went one down early in the match, but Simon Mason saved the day with a penalty stroke save against Wildcat's Jo Simpson. The match remained scoreless until the 61st minute, but a penalty corner deflection by Jon Wyatt and a field goal Andy Watts gave Reading the day. Final score 2-1. Favourites to take the title, Dutch side Bloemendall, gave a twelve-goal demonstration against French outsiders CA Montrouge in Pool B. Reading play the Russian side Dinamo Electrostal in their second match tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in the women's tournament in Edinburgh, Leicester drew 1-1 against the Spanish side Polo Club Barcelona.

ENGLAND IN SIX-GOAL SPREE AGAINST EGYPT

England won a decisive victory in their second Pool A match in the World Cup qualifiers in Changzhou. England were two up within five minutes, with field goals by Goudie and Tindall. The Egyptians were not able to mount an attack until the eleventh minute, but by that time England were 3-0 up thanks to a Richard Mantell penalty corner. A wasted penalty corner to Egypt resulted in England scoring on the break, courtesy of Jonty Clarke. The second half looked like being a repeat of the first, with Richard Alexander scoring a reverse stick shot within three minutes of the re-start. Sameh Mohamed managed to pull one back for the Egyptians, but Richard Mantell took his penalty corner tally in this tournament to six with a 64th minute strike. In the dying minutes of the match, first Mohamed Modhamed, and then Barry Middleton, were sin-binned. Final score 6-1.

Earlier in the day Belgium achieved a suprise draw againt the favourites, Pakistan. The match remained scoreless until well into the second half, when two Pakistan goals by ZAKIR and SAQLAIN put them in the lead. A penalty corner strike by BRULE gave the Belgians a gimmer of hope, but a hotly disputed field goal by TRUYENS - with two seconds left on the clock - secured the draw.

England's next match is against Canada on Saturday.

ENGLAND HEAD TABLE AFTER DAY ONE (WE THINK)

After the first day of play in Chanzhou City, England head Pool 'A' with three points and a goal difference of +4. Belgium and Pakistan are also on three points, with a goal difference of +3 and +1 respectively. Strangely, both the official tournament results web site and the England Hockey web site are showing Belgium as first in the pool, with England's goal difference as +3. We can assure readers that we have our results from a reliable source. England's scorers against Ireland were Richard Mantell (24th, 29th, 55th and 59th min) and Ben Hawes (49th min). Ireland's only response was from John Jermyn in the 25th minute. We think that is +4!

FOUR BY MANTELL FLOORS IRISH

England’s men got off to a winning start in their campaign to secure themselves a place in the World Cup in Monchengladbach in September. Facing the Irish in the first of their Pool A matches in Changzhou, it took England 23 minutes to take the lead from a Richard Mantell penalty corner. Minutes later Ireland were awarded a penalty corner, and with their regular corner taker Stephen Butler off the pitch, John Jermyn stepped up to take it and converted with a low shot which deflected off Ebsworth into the England goal. A second penalty corner strike by Mantell four minutes later took England into the break with a 2-1 lead. Fifteen minutes after the re-start another Richard Mantell corner strike hit Ireland’s Mark Cleghorn in the body, and Ben Hawes was able to convert the resulting penalty stroke. Minutes later, and with England down to ten men whilst Martin Jones served a period of suspension, a fine save by Jon Ebsworth maintained the two goal lead. Two more penalty corner conversions by Mantell gave England a deserved 5-1 victory.

England are next in action against Egypt at 03:00 BST tomorrow. Watch this blog for all the latest from Changzhou.

ENGLAND START CAMPAIGN WITH VICTORY

England started their World Cup qualifier campaign with a 5-1 victory over Ireland in Changzhou. Full details of the match will follow on this blog later.

EARLY RESULTS FROM CHANGZHOU

Pakistan got off to a hesitant start to their qualifying campaign, with a 1-0 win over Canada, their goal coming from Shakeel Abbassi in the 7th minute. Also in Pool A Belgium put five passed Egypt. The two sides had gone in to the interval on two apiece, but the Egyptians could find no response to three second half goals by the Belgians. A surprising result in Pool B was a 2-2 draw in the match between Korea and France, despite a last gasp penalty corner by the Korean’s Jong Hyun Jang. England are due to play their first pool game against Ireland at 11:00 BST today.

MASON ELECTED ENGLAND HOCKEY VP

One of England's most recognisable players, Reading goalkeeper and former internation Simon Mason, has been elected a Vice President of England Hockey at their AGM at Cannock HC on Sunday. Commenting on his election, Mason said, “Being elected to this England post gives me the opportunity to have an input into the very important issues that face the organisation every day. With my performance experience I look forward to assisting England Hockey in its desire to move hockey forward in England. With its exciting challenges in the short term and with a long term eye on Great Britain and the Olympics in 2012 it is a position that I look forward to holding.”

KERRY ANNOUNCES SQUAD FOR ROME

The England coach, Danny Kerry, has announced his squad for the women's World Cup qualifiers in Rome. The team is a mixture of youth and experience, with six of the team having won over a hundred caps for their country. Amongst the comparative newcomers is Bowdon Hightown's Sally Walton (15 caps) and experienced England hand Rachel Walker of Olton (97 caps). Kerry said "The ability to take 18 players to a major event, as opposed to only 16 for the Commonwealth Games, changes some of the selection issues and gives us increased flexibility of choice. I am optimistic that Rachel Walker's inclusion will provide greater attacking penetration down the left hand side, and Sally Walton's inclusion gives us good flexibilty in our selection. her calmness in defence, and her ability to convert half chances in the attacking circle, gives the squad good balance." England play their first pool match against the Ukraine on 25 April.

ENGLAND WOMEN IN 1-0 VICTORY AGAINST THE IRISH

As part of their preparation for the women's World Cup Qualifier in Rome, England played Ireland at Cannock on Sunday (9/4/06). The only goal of the match was scored by the England captain, Kate Walsh.

MIXED FORTUNES AS MEN WARM UP IN CHINA

The England men's team are in Changzhou City for their bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. In 50 minute training matches against New Zealand and Malaysia over the weekend, England ran out 2-1 against the New Zealanders. Both goals were from penalty corners, the scorers being Rob Moore and and Glen Kirkham. England fared less well against the Malaysians, losing 2-1 - the England goal being scored by Richard Mantell. England meet Ireland in their first pool match on Wednesday 12 April.

Hockey World Cup Qualifiers.

News about the Hockey World Cup qualifiers will appear here.

European Cup Winners Cup News

News from the European Cup Winners' Cup for Men in Reading, and the European Cup Winners Cup for Women in Edinburgh, will appear here.