PLUCKY GRINSTEAD TAKE SILVER by Peter Savage in Brussels

Every English man and woman in the hall must have bitten their fingernails down to the elbow watching a plucky but nerve-jangling display of hockey by East Grinstead this afternoon. Playing in the European Indoor Clubs' Trophy here in Brussels it took almost an entire half before anyone found the net and to the relief of the large number of travelling supporters the scorer was Scott Ashdown (pictured here with coach Richard Organ). However, it did not take long for their Ukrainian opponents from Kolos Sekvoya to get back into the match. The goal drought resumed in the second half, with both teams menacing their opponents goal, but with five minutes left on the clock it was Ashley Jackson who showed just what a talent he is both indoors and out. It only took seconds for Jackson to put his name of the scoresheet for a second time, when he slipped his marker and pushed the ball under the goalkeeper to make the score 3-1. Darren Cheeseman, who has not always looked at his best playing on the boards, finally found his form and gave East Grinstead a fourth in the dying seconds.

Although this is only the B division of this competition, East Grinstead have recorded a considerable achievement in coming second. The winners, Swiss club Lucerne, play regularly indoors and their experience was very much in evidence throughout the three days of this tournament. East Grinstead have not only won silver but gained England promotion to the A division of this competition. They now hand over the baton to Canterbury, who as NIA winners last month qualify to play in Europe. Grinstead manager Matt Jones had one word of advice for Canterbury, "Prepare".

Chelmsford, playing in the women's A division of this competition, managed to avoid relegation for England by beating Campo de Madrid in their final match and finishing 6th.

In the men's EHL this afternoon all the matches went predictably, with Surbiton, Cannock, Loughborough Students and Reading recording victories. East Grinstead did not play by virtue of their European involvement over the weekend. Guildford, Canterbury and Belper are deep in the problem zone and need to pick up some points in what remains of the season.

DE PREZ NETS FOUR IN GRINSTEAD REVIVAL by Peter Savage in Brussels

East Grinstead showed real character to stage a comeback after a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Swiss side Lucerne in the European Indoor Clubs Trophy in Brussels this morning. Playing the winners of Pool B, SK Slavia Praha, they got off to a nervous start, clearly having been rattled by the earlier defeat of the day. Despite David De Prez having found the goal in the second minute, the Czechs looked menacing in the opening exchanges and it was not long before they were on equal terms. The English side had plenty of chances – an Ashley Jackson shot was scraped off the line and Scott Ashdown shaved the post just before the break – but it looked very much like a match that could have gone either way. The second half was a completely different story. Jackson was off target by inches just after the restart, but two goals in less than a minute from De Prez put Grinstead back in the driving seat. Jackson found the net at last in the 28^th minute, shortly before the Czechs scored their second to make the score 4-2. It was then that Jackson scored a stunner of a goal. Picking up pass from his right from Scott Ashdown he found his path blocked by the goalkeeper, but he calmly backed away and slid the ball passed the stranded goalie. In the 40^th minute De Prez added to his tally to make the final score 6-2. Under the complex rules of this competition, East Grinstead now have an excellent chance of grabbing Silver and winning England promotion to the Cup competition next year, where our representatives will be Canterbury. They play the Ukrainian side Kolos Sekvoya Vinnitsa tomorrow.

Although this is the “B” competition, East Grinstead have demonstrated over the last few days that they can play indoor hockey – not simply hockey indoors. After the match the EG manager Matt Jones told me, “I’m absoulutely delighted. We showed real character to come back from a setback like that this morning.”

OTHER HOCKEY, by Pat Rowley

England’s Cath Gilliat-Smith scored her first hat-trick of the season for Canterbury in a 5-1 home win over Old Loughtonians to keep her Kent club in the hunt for the Slazengers English League title. She scored her first inside three minutes. Julia Henry gave Loughtonian’s hope with an equaliser early in the second half but Canterbury cruised home. With Bowdon without a game, Canterbury move up to third behind leaders Leicester and Slough who both had clearcut home victories. Leicester, two up in six minutes through Helen Richardson and Kerry Williams, beat struggling Sutton Coldfield 4-1 while Slough were 5-2 victors over Doncaster.

Chelmsford Ladies face play-offs to avoid relegation in the European Indoor Cup after losing 5-3 to Dutch club Kampong at Hamburg.

THE LEAGUE TABLES ON OUR MAIN SITE WILL NOT BE UPDATED UNTIL MONDAY AT THE EARLIEST DUE TO OUR COVERAGE OF THE EUROPEAN INDOOR CLUBS TROPHY.

PLUCKY POLES LOSE TO GERMANY

Poland stunned the favourites, Germany, in the men’s final of the second Indoor World Cup in Vienna this afternoon. Having held the Germans at bay for 17 minutes, the Poles suddenly struck through a field goal by Dariusz Malecki. For what remained of the half the Polish supporters had every reason to believe that their side might make it two, but the Germans came out with all guns blazing in the second half, with Benedict Sperling scoring after two minutes of play. Despite the Poles showing some enterprise, their opponents started to take control of the match and went into the lead after 36 minutes with a goal from Mortitz Fuerste. Two more goals by the Germans put pay to Poland’s hope of the gold, but for a nation who has not featured as a top international side outdoors, the Poles will come away with a lot of credit from this tournament. The bronze was won by Spain with a 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic.

The biggest surprise in the women’s tournament was the absence of the Germans from the final, which pitted Spain against the Netherlands. The Dutch confirmed their dominance of the women’s game by securing a 4-2 victory. Germany beat the Ukraine 5-2 to win the bronze. Scotland finished 8^th.

IN THE ENGLISH PREMIER DIVISION there were no real surprises this afternoon. Cannock beat East Grinstead 3-2, EG having come back from a 2-0 deficit at half time. Bottom of the table put up a creditable fight against Loughborough Students, losing 2-3, whilst Surbiton picked up a useful three points against Belper, whilst the mid-table clash between Beeston and Hampstead went Hampstead’s way, 3-2.

Full league tables for the weekend are not posted to our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk

CHELMSFORD GIVE LEICESTER A REALITY CHECK

REPORT ON SATURDAY'S HOCKEY BY PAT ROWLEY

Reading moved to the top of the Slazengers English League in the only men’s premier match yesterday, winning 7-4 win at Canterbury. David Mathews completed a hat-trick early in the second half to give the Kent club a 4-2 lead but then Reading took control. Cannock can regain top spot if they beat fellow title challengers East Grinstead at Hathersage today.

Leicester’s run of nine successive victories in the women’s premier came to an end. The champions were held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Chelmsford side at Chelmer Park. Mid-table Chelmsford made it four points our of six against Leicester this winter and were worth their draw, though helped by a foot injury which side-lined Leicester’s star player, Crista Cullen, for most of the second half. Leicester led inside six minutes but Chelmsford buckled down and Chloe Rogers magic saw her side draw level early in the second half. Free scoring Leicester – 22 goals in their previous two games – now head the women’s premier by only three points. The three chasing clubs all won. High scoring this week came from nearest rivals Bowdon and Canterbury, both 7-1 away winners while Slough won 3-2 at Olton with a late goal by Alex Danson. [Our photograph shows Kerry Williams scoring for Leicester].

THE GERMAN WOMEN lost their title at the World Indoor Championships in Vienna when beaten 4-3 by Spain in the semi-finals. And Spain nearly upset Germany in the men’s semi-finals too. The Germans squeezed through 3-2. Netherlands play Germany in today’s women’s final while Germany’s men meet Poland.

Full league tables will appear on our main site tomorrow evening, plus photographs from the Chelmsford v Leicester match. Go to our main site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk

GERMANS AND DUTCH REACH SEMIS ON MAXIMUM POINTS

The pool stages are over and we now know who will be in the semi finals of the second Indoor World Cup in Vienna sponsored by Samsung. In the men’s tournament the Germans completed the pool stages undefeated. Leading Pool A, they will play Spain who finished second in Pool B. The other semi final will be between Poland, who finished top of Pool B one point ahead of Spain, and the Czech Republic. Both semi finals will be played tomorrow afternoon (Saturday).

In the women’s tournament will also include Germany and Spain in the semi finals. Leaders on maximum points in Pool A, Germany will play Spain. The Netherlands – a nation not unknown for outstanding performances outdoors – have shown they are just as home indoors. They too finished on maximum points at the top of Pool B and they will meet the Ukraine tomorrow

GERMANS TAKE MAXIMUM POINTS ON DAY THREE

It was a day for the Germans in the World Cup in Vienna today (Thursday). They lead Pool A in both the men’s and the women’s tournament on maximum points. The men managed 8-2 victories over both Russia and Switzerland, whilst the women also finished their match against the Czech Republic on 8-2 and went on to beat the Ukraine 10-2. The hosts, Austria, who had a good start to the men’s tournament, threw away a lead against Spain to lose their match 6-4. Scotland’s women drew against Australia 2-2 and beat the Czech Republic 5-1 and are third in Pool A. Men’s Pool A has three teams on nine points, Poland, Austria, and Spain, whilst in Women’s Pool B, the Netherlands and Spain are both on nine points.

The following are the full results of today’s play in Vienna

Men, pool A:

Czech Republic – Australia 7:2 (4:1)
Germany – Russia 8:2 (5:0)
Switzerland – Trinidad & Tobago 6:1 (3:0)
Czech Republic – Russia 5:4 (4:3)
Germany – Switzerland 8:2 (3:0)
Australia – Trinidad & Tobago 5:1 (2:0)

Men, pool B:
Poland – Italy 8:0 (2:0)
Canada – Austria 4:7 (2:2)
Spain – Poland 2:6 (1:3)
Italy – South Africa 7:4 (3:0)
Austria – Spain 4:6 (3:2)

Women, pool A:

Scotland – Australia 2:2 (2:2)
Germany – Czech Rep. 8:2 (5:1)
Italy – Ukraine 3:5 (1:4)
Australia – Italy 5:3 (1:1)
Ukraine – Germany 2:10 (1:4)
Scotland – Czech Republic 5:1 (3:0)

Women, pool B:

Belarus – Spain 1:3 (0:1)
Netherlands – Canada 4:2 (2:1)
Spain – Austria 5:3 (2:2)
Belarus – South Africa 7:1 (5:0)
Austria – South Africa 5:0 (1:0)

INDOOR WORLD CUP OPENS IN VIENNA

East Grinstead’s Kwane Brown opened the scoring in the second Indoor World Cup this afternoon (Wednesday) in Vienna. Playing for Trinidad and Tobago, he stunned the favourites by putting his side one-nil up against Germany in the third minute. However, the Germans soon got into their stride and eventually won 2-9. In their second match of the tournament the Germans found themselves on level terms with the Czech Republic with only seconds left on the clock. After a few moments of indiscipline the Czechs found themselves down to four men, a numerical advantage which the Germans pounced on immediately. Final score 3-2 to Germany. The highest scoring match in the men’s pools came from hosts, Austria, who put eleven passed South Africa for the reply of one. Earlier in the day they had beaten Italy 5-3. As a result of today’s matches Germany lead Pool A ahead of Russia. Pool B has two teams on maximum points, Austria and Spain, with Austria leading on goal difference.

In the women’s tournament Germany demonstrated that Australia was not a nation devoted to indoor hockey as they trounced their opposition 12-0. The Germans then went on to beat Italy 13-1. Top place in Pool A is shared with the Ukraine, who beat the Czech Republic 7-2 and Scotland 10-4. In their other match today Scotland beat Italy 6-5. In Pool B the Netherlands are the only team on maximum points.

EAST GRINSTEAD IN WEEKEND GOAL SPREE

The return of Darren Cheeseman and Ashley Jackson from GB duties in Australia gave a weekend boost to East Grinstead’s prospects of winning the Premiership. It was a double header weekend for Grinstead and Canterbury, with Grinstead taking the honours 7-3, Jackson finding the net four times. Jackson was on target again this afternoon (Sunday) with two penalty corner strikes as his side put nine passed bottom-placed Guildford for no reply. However, it was Dave de Prez whose shooting power notched up the goals for EG, with a personal tally of four. Loughborough Students added to Canterbury’s misery by beating them 6-1, whilst top placed Cannock saw off Beeston 5-1. Surbiton and Read defied a high scoring weekend by finishing their match goalless. The top four continue to run away from the pack with three points separating the first four sides. In Division 1, Bowdon were too much for luckless Teddington, punishing them 9-2 for some sloppy passing and the absence of teamwork. Pakistan international Ali Ghazanfar (pictured) scored a hat-trick.

By some strange coincidence, both men’s and women’s division ones saw a meeting of the top and bottom placed teams. We have photographs of the matches between Teddington and Bowdon, and Horsham and Barnes, on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk. You will also find a full set of EHL league tables from the weekend’s action.

AND THE BLITZ GOES ON

Two matches in the Women's EHL Premier Division produced no less than twenty-three goals. Bowdon Hightown's Tina Cullen found the net five times in her sides 9-1 thrashing of Olton & West Warwickshire. That was nothing compared with events at Leicester, where the home side put eleven passed Old Loughtonians for a reply of two. Slough could only draw 1-1 against Canterbury, which means that Bowdon move above Slough. The match between Ipswich and Sutton Coldfield was postponed.

One of the surprise results of the day was in Women's Division 1, where table toppers Barnes met bottom of the table Horsham. In a goal-less match both teams got what they deserved - Horsham for some dogged defending and Barnes for a lack of enterprise. Barnes found the net once, only to have the goal disallowed, the umpires deciding that the ball had not been touched by a Barnes player in the 'D'. Clifton and Poynton both won their matches which means that Barnes drop to second place on the same points as Poynton. Pictures of this match appear on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk

Full league tables will appear on our main web site tomorrow (Sunday).

CANNOCK BLITZ BELPER IN EIGHT GOAL THRILLER

The high scoring results yesterday were replicated in the Men’s Premier Division this afternoon. Table toppers Cannock were trailing for twenty minutes to a Tom Sherratt goal at Belper, but Matt Taylor managed to put the sides on level terms at the break. The first ten minutes of the second half saw Cannock pile on the pressure, with goals from Andrew Brogdon and two from Martin Jones. Three more goals in the last ten minutes from Brogdon, Andrew Jones and Simon Ramsden sealed the home side’s fate. Final score 7-1. By comparison, second-placed Reading had a quiet game, beating third placed Loughborough Students 4-1. Surbiton, who have not had the best of seasons by their standards, met struggling Guildford and netted seven, with Matt Daly and James Mulcair being Surbiton’s scorers. Final score: 7-1. East Grinstead visited Beeston and in a see-saw match Grinstead took the lead, lost it, and then took it back again.

Bowdon seem unstoppable in Division One as they saw off Southgate 5-2. Teddington are still propping up the division , having lost 5-1 to Chelmsford.

Full EHL league tables will appear on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk soon.

CULLEN + CULLEN. IT'S A HIGH SCORING DAY IN THE WOMEN'S PREMIER

Crista Cullen celebrated being named 2006 Female Player of the Year last Monday with five goals for Leicester, the English League leaders and champions, as they thrashed relegation threatened Doncaster 11-1 at Bennethorpe. With three corner goals and two from open play, Cullen was just one short of Slough's Jane Smith's league record. Leicester were only the second club to score 11 in a premier match and their victory margin was also the second highest.No doubt they were spurred on when Doncaster took the lead through Emma Pledge inside four minutes. Anne Panter was the first of Leicester's scorers before Cullen got going. Their other scorers were Hannah Macleod (2), Rebecca Herbert and Vanessa Hawkins (2).

The top four in the women's premier all won. Slough, beaten 4-1 by Leicester a week ago, were a little flattered to see off Old Loughtonians 6-1. Canterbury defeated Ipswich 3-0 and Bowdon, with four goals from Tina Cullen, were 5-2 victors over Sutton.

Report by Pat Rowley.

Full EHL league tables will appear on our main site (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk) on Sunday 4/2/07.