Pictures from todays GB Super League

Further photographs will soon be available at our site at www.talkhockeyradio.c0.uk

SCOTLAND'S HOPES DENTED by Pat Rowley

Scotland’s hopes of contesting the men’s Great Britain Super League final next Sunday, were severely dented with the comprehensive 4-0 defeat of Caledonian Cougars, their top side, by Wessex Leopards, one of the three English based outfits in the 6-team event, at Swansea yesterday.

Leopards, with four goals from Martin Jones and three by Simon Mantell, look title favourites after scoring 14 goals without reply over the week-end.

Saxon Tigers will make it an all English final, if they draw with the Cougars next Saturday.

The English teams continued to dominate the women’s competition. Saxon Tigers are strongly placed to finish first. They conceded their first goal and dropped their first points in a 1-1 draw with Wessex Leopards. Hayley Brown gave them the lead with a superb strike but Jenny Hall quickly levelled.

Photographs from today's action will be uploaded shortly. Further photographs will be available from our main website within the next few days. Go to www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk for details

SCOTS STAY ON TOP IN SUPER LEAGUE by Pat Rowley

Caledonian Cougars, ostensibly the Scottish National team, defeated the English side Pennine Pumas 4-3 to maintain a two point lead at the half way stage of the men’s Great Britain Super League when the new event resumed at Swansea. They twice led by three goals but so nearly lost their 100 per cent record.

Niall Stott opened the scoring just before half-time and Mark Ralph (2) and Kenny Bain added further goals for the Scots. Back came Pumas with goals by Ali Brogdon, Richard Smith and Adam Dixon (penalty) but a late chance to equalise went begging.

Cougars’ nearest rivals, the English sides, Wessex Leopards and Saxon Tigers, both won. Leopards were far too strong for the Scottish second string, Highland Jaguars winning 10-0. England’s Martin Jones who should win his 100^th international cap against Germany next week, was well worth his three goals.

Goal of the day was scored in the women’s event, by Ashleigh Ball for Pennine Pumas who drew 1-1 with Caledonian Cougars.

SCOTS LEAD SUPER LEAGUE AFTER FIRST WEEKEND

After the first weekend of action in the GB Super League it was the Scots who were making the pace in the men’s tournament. On Saturday Stephen Dick and Graham Moodie were on scoring form as Caledonian Cougars met the Welsh contingent of Celtic Panthers. The next day they met fellow Scots from Highland Jaguars. In a free scoring match Dick scored a hat-trick to give the Cougars a 7-3 victory. However, future matches may be more testing for the Cougars, as they have yet to play any of the three English teams. Wessex Leopards are looking the strongest of the trio at the moment, with a 6-3 victory over Pennine Pumas on day one, followed by a 3-3 draw against the very strong Saxon Tigers side.

The Scots faired less well in the women’s tournament, with only Highland Jaguars picking up any points. Saxon Tigers have been the stand-out team so far with Canterbury’s Cathy Gilliat-Smith scoring four over the two weekend matches.

The tournament now moves on to Swansea for more action next weekend.

LATEST RESULTS AND TABLES FROM GB SUPER LEAGUE FIRST WEEKEND

ROUND-UP OF TODAY'S FINALS AT CHELMSFORD

This afternoon saw the finals of a number of England Hockey knock-out competitions at Chelmsford. In the Harrod UK Men’s Trophy, Banbury won in a high scoring match against Crewe. In the women’s Trophy, Tulse Hill and Dulwich beat Watton 3-1. It took penalty strokes to settle the outcome of the meeting between Andover and UCL Academicals in the Men’s Vase. The students had gone into the break at 2-0 but two second-half goals by Andover forced the match to strokes. The final score 5-4 to Andover. In the Women’s Vase it was a golden goal by Chichester’s Tobi Whittleton that decided matters against Sonning. Final score 2-3.

We had expected to receive the results of today’s GB Super League matches in Edinburgh. At the time of uploading this blog they had not arrived and will now be posted tomorrow (Sunday)

PLAY-OFFS RESULTS IN ALL CHANGE IN PREMIER DIVISIONS

Bowdon were able to add five more to yesterdays tally to gain promotion to the Premier Division of the EHL 11-0 on aggregate against Belper, who are now relegated to Division One. In the Women’s Premier, Sutton Coldfield are also relegated as a result of their 3-2 defeat at the hands of Clifton. Clifton will return to the Premier Division next season. As a result of two days of play, Chelmsford retain their Division One status, whilst Sheffield Hallam Civica stay in the EHL at the expense of Oxford Hawks. In the women’s leagues University of Birmingham will be playing in Division One next season, whilst Preston are relegated to their regional league as a result of their defeat by Exmouth.

Next season will see the return of a number of former national league sides who are promoted from their regional league, in particular Bedford and Rover Oxford in the women’s competition, and Cambridge University and Kingston upon Hull in the men’s competition. Also promoted are Cambridge City, Sheffield Hallam, and Taunton Vale (women) and Telford & Wrekin, Sevenoaks, and Cardiff (men).

BOWDON ALMOST THERE. EHL Play-offs by Pat Rowley

Bowdon have virtually ensured a North club will be back in the premier division of the Slazengers English League for the first time in four years.

The first division runners-up handed a 6-0 hiding to premier side Belper in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-offs at Sheffield. Bowdon can now afford to lose 5-0 in today’s second leg.

All six of Bowdon’s goals were scored in open play, most of them well worked goals.

Pakistan international Ali Ghazanfar (pictured) led the way with David Egerton making it 2-0 at the break with a fierce reverse stick shot.

The Brogdon brothers, Ali and Stephen, both made the score sheet as did Mike Hoare and Dominic Maguire.

There will be everything to play for in the second leg of the women’s premier play-off at Wakefield today. Sutton Coldfield, behind for much of the game, earned a 1–1 draw with Clifton, the first division runners-up. Carla Dunnett scored for Clifton, Laura Price for Sutton.

LAST PROMOTION RELEGATION ISSUES TO BE DECIDED BY PLAY-OFFS by Pat Rowley

Belper have flown an Australian back from America just for the weekend to play for them in the men’s Slazenger English League play-offs at Abbeydale, Sheffield.

The Derbyshire club who made their debut in the premier division this winter, are determined to stay up but to do so have to win on aggregate in their two matches against Bowdon, the first division runners-up.

Belper hope the returning youngster, 22-year-old Jason Tomlinson, will make the difference, especially as another striker, Pakistani international Sameer Hussain has had to return home for national trials.

Bowdon were favourites to earn automatic promotion to the Premier until they fell away at the end of the season. They can be confident though for they had excellent result against top premier clubs in the English Cup and their Pakistani, the free scoring Ghazanfar, plays.

Sutton Coldfield Ladies, almost perennial play-off participants, defend their premier spot against Clifton at Wakefield. The Bristol club will, no doubt, make special plans to nullify Sutton’s former international star Jane Sixsmith who remains a potent threat in her 40^th year.

We will bring you the results of the play-offs as soon as they are available.

THE RAIN FALLS ON CANNOCKS PARADE by Peter Savage

The rain clouds followed Cannock all the way to yesterday’s final against the favourites, Amsterdam. Although only a light shower and nothing like the previous days’ downpours, it did nothing to improve on a day which saw two English teams lose their final matches. At least Cannock were assured of a silver and a well deserved one at that.

Right from the start it was clear that Amsterdam were not out to flatter Cannock and yet again James Fair in the Cannock goal was in the thick of the action. It took the Dutch side eight minutes to record their first goal when their fearsome penalty corner striker Taeke Takema found the net. Despite the pressure, Cannock’s defence remained resolute and it took the Dutchmen another twenty minutes to add a second, courtesy of a field goal off the stick of Mark Neumeier. The second half saw a flurry of goals for Amsterdam, with Takema getting his second, this time from the penalty spot, followed by a corner conversion by Teun Rohof, and a goal in open play by England international Ben Hawes. Then, as if by magic, Cannock managed to arrest the slide and suddenly went through a golden patch in the last five minutes. Andrew Langlands found the net from a penalty corner and minutes later Martin Jones hit the upright with a stinging shot. Kristian Timman then scored Amsterdam’s six and final goal, but Cannock made their tally two when Andrew West scored with seconds left on the clock.

Amsterdam were a class apart but Cannock’s campaign in this competition has shown them to be more than competent to compete at this level of European hockey. (Our photograph shows veteran Cannock player, Chris Mayer, with his European Cup Winners' Cup silver medal.)

In the women’s tournament, experienced European campaigners Canterbury were also facing an Amsterdam side, but the outcome of this match was a bronze or nothing. This was the match which had been tipped to be the final, and the very lacklustre final between Club de Campo and Rot-Weiss that followed showed what the spectators were missing. Last year in Berlin, Canterbury had conceded a goal in the first few seconds of the match, and history repeated itself once more. But the two teams went into the break at one apiece thanks to a goal by Rachel Walsh, sister of England captain Kate. Unfortunately, the second half had only been underway a few minutes when Sylvia Karres scored for Amsterdam to put the score at 2-1 to the Dutch. Canterbury hung on grimly, but like their male counterparts the Amsterdam side were in a class of their own.

This is the third time I have followed Canterbury into Europe and on the two previous occasions they have been beaten in the final by a Dutch side. I have little doubt that Canterbury’s performance over that period has improved immensely, as was evidenced by their performance in the pool matches, but it just seems that the Dutch sides are getting better and better.

A report on the European Cup Winners Cup will appear in the May edition of our on-line magazine HockeyTalk, and interviews from the tournament will be in our monthly podcast, TalkHockeyRadio, which is due out on Thursday. We will also be posting photographs from the competition on our main site (plus those from the men’s EH Cup Final) over the next few days. All this can be found at our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk

Results in European Cup Winners' Cup

A full report of the final days matches will appear on this blog tomorrow. Scores in the England matches were:

Women's Bronze Medal: Canterbury 1 Amsterdam 2 (Gold Medal: Club de Campo, Silver: Rot Weiss Cologne).
Men's Final: Amsterdam 6 Cannock 2.

HAIL TO CANNOCK by Peter Savage at the European Cup Winners' Cup in Madrid

On what hitherto had been a sunny day, the thunder clouds rolled in arround the Club de Campo ground here in Madrid this evening. There must be something about Cannock and the weather in Spain. The pre-match warm-up was interupted by a hailstorm which left the pitch covered in a silver dust of ice for about ten minutes (see our picture). But when play started the action on the pitch was hot enough to thaw the most hardened ice. Cannock, playing the host club for the poll position in Group B and a place in tomorrow's final, appeared to abandon yesterday's softly softly approach for a display of attacking hockey, including all the risks that it involves. The Midlanders opened accounts when World Cup hero Martin Jones netted in the eigth minute. Andrew Brogdon made it two after 24 minutes when he collected the ball from a free hit, moved off the backline and turned and fired an unstoppable shot passed Casanova in the Spainish goal. Clearly time well spent at Cannock on set pieces! The English side seemed to have the match sewn up but the scoreline was as much a reflection of some fine work by James Fair in the Cannock goal as the enterprise of his forwards. It was the penalty corner striking of Club de Campo, and in particular of their Argentinian international Jorg Lombi, that was nearly Cannock's undoing, first with a goal in the 44th Minute and the second with less than four minutes left on the clock. The game had been spoilt by some ill mannered play - Michael Johnson and Felipe Moreno both were sin-binned in the last minutes - and reports of some racist comments directed at Cannock's Hardeep Jawanda by the home supporters. The latter has been reported to the Tournament Director, but it was Jawanda who was to have the last laugh in this match. Cannock had to win to get to the final - a draw was not sufficient, and it was Jawanda who scored the winner with less than a minute left on the clock. Cannock will meet Amsterdam, who earlier had drawn 0-0 against German side Am der Alster. Although the scoreline may seem surprising, it is less so when one considers that the Dutch side would have had to lose by fourteen goals not to qualify for the final. As the man said, tournament are not won against the tough sides - they are won against the easy ones.

In the women's tournament, Canterbury will be playing Amsterdam's women tomorrow. I expected to be telling you that they would be playing each other in the final, but Club de Campo managed an 8-0 victory over Italian side Libertas and relegate Amsterdam to second place in Pool A on goal difference. The English girl's match against the German's of Rot-Weiss Cologne got off to a cracking start, with Mel Clewlow scoring in the fourth minute. Rot-Weiss seemed to have no answer to the Canterbury attack, seeming to be content to punt balls up the pitch to relieve the pressure on their twenty-five. But gradually they clawed their way back into the match. Maike Stockel manager to tip the ball over a prostrate Becky Duggan in the Canterbury goal from a penalty corner just before the break. Increased pressure brought a second penalty corner goal towards the end of play when Eileen Hoffman converted for the Germans. So, at their third attempt at European gold Canterbury are now left looking for a bronze but facing the very tough outfit from Amsterdam. (Our photograph shows Becky Duggan defending a first half attack).

Photographs from today's play will appear on our website at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk next week.

Images from yesterday's Cannock match

Torrential rain and a thunderstorm stopped us getting more than a few pics from yesterday's 7-0 victory by Cannock, but here are a few we did get. Sorry about the delay in posting them. This was caused by communication problems from our hotel.

THE RAIN IN SPAIN FAILS TO DAMPEN CANNOCK'S CAMPAIGN by Peter Savage in Madrid

Played in weather more akin to the English Midlands than sunny Spain, Cannock took on the second of their opponents in the European Cup Winners Cup here in Madrid this afternoon. Cannock have clearly learnt lessons from their last European campaign - it's the "easy" sides that can trip you up - and the Cannock side put on display of controlled and disciplined hockey against their Russian opponents from Dinamo Electrostal. Only most partisan observer would give the match marks for entertainment, but Cannock set out to do a job and they did it clinically. The first goal came in the 9th minute when skipper Michael Johnson slammed the ball into the net from a penalty corner. Shortly before half time Martin Jones converted a penalty corner. In the seccond half the rain started to lash the pitch and thunder rumbled around the Club de Campo ground. But if the thunder was a portent of doom, it was doom for the Russian side. Andrew Langlands added a third after a minute of second half play and Matthew Plunkett made it four ten minutes later. Andrew Brogdon scored the first of two goals, with Andrew Langlands scoring his second shortly after. Final score 7-0. Cannock will face a sterner test tomorrow against the host club, but they emerged from today's match without too many aches and pains to spoil their chances tomorrow.

The foul weather prevented us from getting too many good photographs this afternoon, but we may post some pictures on this blog later tonight.

Canterbury's women also had a successful day. Playing Irish side Old Alexandra, they recorded a 3-1 victory, with Mel Clewlow, Jenny Wilson, and Lucy Barnes getting their name on the scoresheet. Only a very defensive approach to the match by the Irish stopped the score from being much higher. Canterbury face the German women of Rot-Weiss Cologne tomorrow.

Other results:

4 Nations Invitational at Exeter - U16 boys; England 2 Netherlands 2.
Invitational tournament in Barcelona - U16 Girls; Spain 3 England 3. U18 Girls; Spain 0 England 2.

CLEAN SWEEP FOR ENGLISH TEAMS ON DAY ONE

The last ever European Club Championships - at least as far as the men are concerned - kicked off today in the Spanish capital, Madrid. This year's event is unusual, inasmuch as both men's and women's cup are playing at the same location. It was a good start for the English representatives, Cannock and Canterbury, who both recorded wins.

Cannock coach, David Mayer, had declared at the EH Cup last Sunday that his side would be playing to win, and win they did against Italian side SS Lazio, 6-3. But the quality of the opposition can be judged by the other scores in the competition. In the same pool as Cannock, host club Club de Campo, put seven passed Dinamo Electrostal for no reply. As Reading found out last year, this Russian side are no push over. Amsterdam, who are playing in Pool A, managed a convincing win over Polish contenders Grunwald Pozna 10-0 and are probably the safe money for Sunday's final. Cannock will meet Club de Campo on Saturday, but meanwhile have to play the Russians tomorrow afternoon (Friday).

Canterbury women, who are turning into old hands in European competition but are trying to turn silver into gold, won their first day match against Glasgow Western 5-0. Scottish sides have proved difficult to overcome in the past and have sometime left their English opponents exhausted for the next day's match, so this result in encouraging.

TalkHockeyRadio will be in Madrid from tomorrow onwards and, subject to communication links, will be reporting daily on the progress of Cannock and Canterbury. The men's tournament and the more prestigious European Club Championships, will disappear at the end of this season to give way for the new EuroHockey League, which will play its first match in the Autumn

CANNOCK WIN CONSOLATION PRIZE

Cannock managed to come back from their disappointment at losing the Premiership title last Sunday by winning a tight battle against East Grinstead for the EH Cup. 'Grinstead, often at their best on the big occasion, seemed to have the lion's share of the possession, but a twenty-fourth minute penalty corner was put away by Cannock's Andrew Langlands. Despite brave efforts, and some superb play by Ashley Jackson and Darren Cheeseman, East Grinstead were unable to find the net and the score remained at 1-0 to Cannock. The women's final between Slough and Bowdon Hightown was a lacklustre afair, only really coming to life when Lis Chaffey scored for Bowdon in open play in the last quarter of the match. Two minutes later Tina Cullen added another to her massive goal tally this season to seal the match at 2-0.

Our photographs show Bowdon's England international Sally Walton enjoying the fruits of victory and the victorious Cannock team.

Photographs of the matches will appear on our main web site soon.