FORMER GB MANAGER RECEIVES NEW YEAR HONOUR

Bernie Cotton, assistant manager of the 1988 gold medal winning team in Seoul and manager of the 1992 Barcelona squad, has received the MBE in the New Years Honours List. The honour is in recognition of Cotton's work as Director of the holding camp for Team GB at the recent Olympics in Beijing.

Cotton started his playing career with Hertfordshire side Blueharts before moving on to Southgate. He was a member of the GB squad for the 1972 Munich Olympics and was selected as captain to play in the Moscow Olympics eight years later. (The team was withdrawn as a protest against the Russian invasion of Afghanistan).

JACKSON SNATCHES WIN FOR ENGLAND

Picture (right): England captain Ben Hawes receives the winner's salver from Tournament Director Martyn Gallivan.

The final men’s match between England and Scotland proved to be an exciting finale to a weekend of entertaining hockey a t the Tri-Nations Tournament in Eastleigh this afternoon. England went into the match with Australia topping the table with nine points and a goal difference of plus eight. By contrast England had six points and a goal difference of plus three. But things did not look promising when Gareth Hall and Stephen Dick each scored for Scotland in the opening minute. Ashley Jackson pulled one back for England but Stephen Dick converted a penalty corner seconds late and restored Scotland’s two goal lead. But although the game was finely balanced, England had the better share of the chances and took full advantage of them. Adam Dixon scored from a penalty corner and a goal in open play from Richard Alexander gave England the equaliser. England went into the break in the lead after Jackson scored his second from a penalty corner but the second half was less a minute old when Gareth Hall scored his second for Scotland to restore parity. Although England were playing well, the goal difference to beat Australia seemed well beyond reach. But England were to have a couple of golden spells in the match. Five minutes into the second half England won a penalty stroke, which Jackson duly despatched, followed by a Richard Mantell penalty corner conversion. Stephen Dick scored his third to narrow the gap to one, but in the space of three minutes Jonty Clarke, Richard Alexander, Glenn Kirkham and Ashley Jackson, all found the net from open play, Jackson’s goal coming in the dying seconds. Jackson’s goal was his ninth in the tournament, making him the weekend’s top scorer. The final score – 10-5 to England – was enough to give England an identical points and goal difference tally with the Australians. The final clincher was the goals scored, where England’s total was 36 as against Australia’s 24.

The final match in the women’s tournament was only marginally less exciting, with the potential for all three teams to win the tournament. Scotland were 3-2 up against England before Ashleigh Ball scored the equaliser in the 36th minute. Skipper, Kerry Williams, scored her second of the match from a penalty corner in the last two minutes to give England the match and the tournament. England’s other scorer was Natalie Seymour.

Final tables:

Men’s Tournament: 1st England 9 pts (+8 – goals scored 26), 2nd Australia 9 pts (+8 – goals scored 24), 3rd Scotland 0 pts (-16).

Women’s Tournament: 1st England 7 pts (+2), 2nd Australia 6 pts (-2), 3rd 4 pts (+2).

CLARKE'S THREE GIVES ENGLAND WIN by Peter Savage at the Tri Nations Indoors at Eastleigh

England’s men made amends for a defeat against the Australians earlier in the day with a fine performance against the Scots, who in theory are more experienced at the indoor version of the game than their English cousins. Gareth Hall who opened the scoring for Scotland after only three minutes, and Stephen Dick who put the Scots back ahead after Ashley Jackson had equalised. But it was England’s Jonty Clarke (pictured) who showed some fine stickwork to scofre a hat-trick in under seven minutes and send England into the break with a 4-2 lead. The Scots looked threatening in the second half and were dangerous from corners – Ross McPherson and Stephen Dick on target to give Scotland two more goals – but England showed themselves equally adept at corners with goals from Richard Smith and Ashley Jackson. Final score 6-4 to England.

It had been a different story earlier in the day when England faced Australia. England looked set to repeat yesterday’s victory by going into the second half on 3-2, the goals coming from Jonty Clarke, Richard Alexander and Ashley Jackson. The very athletic style of the Australians seemed not to suit hockey on the boards, but they settled down in the second half to some very controlled hockey. Despite goals from Richard Smith and Adam Dixon, the Austrians caught up and overtook England, scoring twice in the last three minutes to take the match 7-5.

There was to be no repeat of yesterdays win over Australia for the women either. Despite goals from sally Walton (2), Jo Ellis and Becky Herbert, the Australians ran out 5-4 winners. It was a last gasp goal by Jo Ellis, her second of the match, that stopped England going down to Scotland 4-3 this evening. Other England goals came from Beckie Herbert and Sally Walton.

ENGLAND TWO OUT OF TWO INDOORS

England got off to an excellent start at the Tri-Nations Indoor Tournament in Eastleigh yesterday (Friday), with the men and women both recording wins against Australia. Beckie Herbert started the scoring after six minutes in the women's game, scoring a second just before the break in their 5-3 win. Other England goals came from Sally Walton, Kerry Williams and Charlotte Hartley. The men also put five passed the Australians for a reply of two, with England goals from Ashley Jackson (2), Richard Alexaner, Richard Lane and Jonty Clarke.

The tournament continues today and tomorrow. TalkHockeyRadio will be there with reports and photographs from Eastleigh. More photographs will appear during the week.

Please note that due to the installation of new computer equipment in our studios that photograph albums on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk may not be updated until Tuesday or Wednesdayy.

SLOUGH MOVE INTO TOP SPOT IN WOMEN'S INDOOR LEAGUE

Picture: Veteran Chelmsford player Lynn Bollington (left) and Chloe Rogers (far right) in their 8-4 win over Ipswich

The overnight leaders in the Premier Division of the Women’s Indoor EHL at Whitgift School, Croydon, found themselves being defeated today by a side who started this morning with nil points and a -11 goal difference. Chelmsford, who are propping up the Premier Division outdoors, are reinforced indoors by GB international Chloe Rogers and veteran Chelmsford hand, Lyn Bollington, who came out of retirement to return to playing on the boards. Between them they scored nine goals in their two matches today, giving them six points and knocking Olton & West Warwicks off the top spot. Rogers put Chelmsford two ahead in less than five minutes against Ipswich in their opening match, and four second half goals - three from Rogers and two from Rebecca Altree – gave Chelmsford a well deserved 8-4 win. Ipswich, who were in second place at the start of play this morning, slip to fifth place after this and a draw with Clifton. Rogers also opened the scoring in their match against Olton, going on to score two more to give the Essex side a 4-2 win. Olton’s loss was Slough’s gain, as last season’s champions first beat Liverpool Sefton 5-0 and then Canterbury 4-3 to move into the number one position. It was a disappointing day for Bowdon Hightown, who lost to Olton 4-2. Their later 9-3 demolition of Aldridge was not enough to stop them dropping from third to fourth. Their place is taken by Clifton, who beat Liverpool Sefton 3-1, but could only draw 1-1 against Ipswich. Despite Chelmsford’s six points from today’s matches, they only move from eighth to seventh in the table. The Premier Division resumes in the new year.

Women’s EHL Premier Division after four matches: 1.Slough 9 pts, 2. Olton & WW 9 pts, 3. Clifton 8 pts, 4. Bowdon Hightown 7 pts, 5. Ipswich 7 pts, 6. Canterbury 6 pts, 7. Chelmsford 6 pts, 8. Aldridge 0 pts, 9. Liverpool Sefton 0 pts.

In the Men’s Premier Division, Old Loughtonians maintain a two point lead at the top of the table despite a 7-7 draw against Beeston. Beeston were winning 7-5 with less than a minute left on the clock but last gasp goals from the old boys’ Oliver Didham and James Stedman deprived Beeston of the three points. Loughts later went on to beat last season’s Championships finalists, Loughborough Students, 7-4. East Grinstead executed a 13-0 demolition against Canterbury in their first match of the day, with German international Martin Haner scoring four and Ashley Jackson scoring five. A late comeback from 5-2 down against Reading gave Grinstead a 5-5 draw in their second match. Beeston, who were lying in second place overnight, slipped to fourth after their draw against Loughts and a 9-3 defeat at the hands of Reading.

Men’s EHL Premier Division after four matches: 1. Old Loughtonians 10 pts, 2. East Grinstead 8 pts, 3. Reading 7 pts, 4. Beeston 7 pts, 5. Harleston Magpies 6 pts, 6. Loughborough Students 5 pts, 7. Havant 4 pts, 8. Bournville 3 pts, 9. Canterbury 0 pts.

OLTON AND OLD LOUGHTS TAKE FIRST DAY LEAD

After the first day of play in the Indoor EHL Premier Division, Old Loughtonians top the men’s table, whilst Olton and West Warwicks lead the women’s.

Old Loughts’ Oliver Didhams was on form in their first match of the day, scoring five times for his side in their 9-2 win against Canterbury. Didham’s found the net in their second match, this time facing Harleston Magpies, with further goals from Gareth Andrew (2) and Richard Lane, both of whom play their outdoor hockey for Cannock. Final score in that match, 4-2 to Old Loughtonians. Old Loughts are on six points, ahead of Beeston on goal difference. Beeston beat the Magpies 5-0 and went on to record a 6-1 win against Bournville. There was a replay of last season’s National Championships Finals, as Loughborough Students met East Grinstead. Ashley Jackson (back with his former club for the indoor league) and Adamson Harper, scored in the opening minute for East Grinstead, and six minutes into the second half the Sussex side had a commanding 6-2 lead. Goals for the Students by Richard Smith, Robbie Smith (2) and Tim Benford resulted in a final score of 6-6. East Grinstead made no mistake in their second match, despatching Havant 8-4, whilst Loughborough Students saw off Canterbury 8-1.

Positions after two matches: 1. Old Loughtonians 6 pts, 2. Beeston 6 pts, 3. East Grinstead 4 pts, 4. Loughborough Students 4 pts, 5. Reading 3 pts, 6. Bournville 3 pts, 7. Havant 0 pts, 8. Canterbury 0 pts, 9. Harleston Magpies 0 pts.

In the women’s league, Jane Smith made an early mark in their match against Olton, but Denise Marston-Smith managed to pull one back for Olton. An Alex Scott goal restored Slough’s lead but goals from Rachel Walker and Emma McCabe gave Olton the 3-2 win. Olton then had a more comfortable victory against Liverpool Sefton, winning 8-1. It has not been a good season outdoors for Ipswich but things looked much better for the ladies from Suffolk indoors. With a 3-2 win over Canterbury and a 3-2 win over Aldridge, Ipswich and Olton are the only two sides on maximum points. Tina Cullen found the net six times in Bowdon Hightown’s 12-0 demolition of Liverpool Sefton but had less luck when they met Clifton, Jo Ellis scoring Bowdon’s only goal in a 1-1 draw.

Positions after two matches.: 1.Olton & WW 6 pts, 2. Ipswich 6 pts, 3. Bowdon Hightown 4 pts, 4. Clifton 4 pts, 5. Slough 3 pts, 6. Canterbury 3 pts, 7. Aldridge 0 pts, 8. Chelmsford 0 pts, 9. Liverpool Sefton 0 pts.

THE CURSE OF THE UNREGISTERED PLAYER STRIKES AGAIN

For the second season running Premiership side Hampstead and Westminster have had points deducted for fielding an unregistered player. The player in question was on the team sheet for the match but did not take the field during Hampstead’s 2-2 away draw against Beeston on 30 November. In a press release the England Hockey League Committee describe the club as “….inadvertently fielding an illegible player….”

The League Committee have ordered that Hampstead and Westminster be deducted one point. The club remain in 7th place but are now on seven points along with Loughborough Students.

In releasing their decision, the Committee commented, “The EHLC wished to note the club’s full co-operation on the matter.”

Last season Loughborough Students and Bath Bucanners suffered a massive points deductions as a result of fielding "deregistered" players.

CANNOCK DRAW SHORT STRAW FOR EURO ROUND TWO

(Picture: Leuven and Three Rock Rovers have already played each other in Round One)

Experienced European campaigners Cannock have drawn the Dutch club, Bloemendaal in the Second Round of the EuroHockey League, due to be played in Hamburg next Easter. League newbies, East Grinstead have a less challenging, although tough enough draw, against French club St Germain, whilst Reading find themselves paired up with Spanish side Real Club Polo Barcelona. These are three of the draws in the EuroHockey League made in Amsterdam earlier today. Rather like last season, where English clubs Reading and Cannock were drawn against each other in Round Two, this time around it is two German clubs who will have to try to eliminate the other to reach Round Three – Dusseldorfer and host side UHC Hamburg. Probably the most disappointing meeting of the eight matches is the game between Belgian club Leuven and Three Rock Rovers from Ireland. These two sides shared a pool with Atletic Terrassa in Round One and pulled off a coup by eliminating the Spanish side. This means that only one of these two gallant outsiders will progress to Round Three.

The draw will be:
Bloemendaal (Netherlands) v Cannock (England)
East Grinstead (England) v St Germain (France)
Dusseldorfer (Germany) v UHC Hamburg (Germany)
Club Egara (Spain) v Der Club an der Alster (Germany)
Rotterdam (Netherlands) v Waterloo Ducks (Belgium)
Leuven (Belgium) v Three Rock Rovers (Ireland)
RC Polo Barcelona (Spain) v Reading (England)

GLOOM TURNS TO JOY AS OLYMPIC FUNDING ANNOUNCED

Only a few days ago the talk was about drastic funding cuts for Olympic hockey, even to the point of suggesting that a choice may have to be made as to whether we entered a men’s or women’s team in 2012. The worst case scenario was that hockey would not be competing on home soil in an Olympic Tournament. But what a difference a week makes. UK sport has announced that hockey will be receiving a grant of approximately £3,500,000 per annum. That is about a 25% increase on what was allowed for Beijing.

The Executive Chairman of England Hockey, Philip Kimberley, commented on the news, “I know that our fifth place finish for the men and the sixth for the women in Beijing has given us a strong platform from which to build.” He went on to say, “This increase in funding will enable us to give our athletes that little bit more support to put everything they need in place to maximise their chances of success.”