BROKEN CHINA GIVE ENGLAND MAX POINTS

Photos from Daniel Carsons in Rosario. 1) England celebrate their first goal. Front, left to right, Hannah MacLeod, Charlotte Craddock and Laura Unsworth. 2) Crista Cullen fires off a penalty corner for England.

It was all settled in under two minutes in England's second match of the Women's World Cup in Rosario this afternoon. Hannah MacLeod's penalty corner goal in the opening seconds of the match was enough to secure a 1 – 0 win over China.

England has now secured maximum points from their first two matches. Later this afternoon, Spain is due to play South Africa, and Argentina is due to play Korea. England's win sets them up to move into second place in Pool B. Results from the remaining matched will appear on this blog in the morning (Wednesday).

England's next match will be against Korea on Thursday.

Pool tables can be viewed at our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk.

NETHERLANDS ROUT INDIA IN ROSARIA

Photo: Kim Lammers, scorer of two Dutch goals against India (Library image).

There were no surprises in Pool A of the Women's World Cup in Rosario yesterday, with the results going with the world rankings.

The big winner was The Netherlands, who decisively routed outsiders India 7-1, with Maatje Pauman accounting for three of the Dutch goals, two from corners and one from the penalty spot. Other scorers were Marilyn Agliotti, Ellen Hoog and Kim Lammers (2). India's lone goal was from Rani Rampal.

Germany had dealt with New Zeland within the first seventeen minutes, after which the match remained scoreless. Celine Wilde opened the German account in the 15^th minute, with Tina Bachman finding the net from a penalty corner two minutes later. Final score: 2-0 to Germany.

Australia lead all the way in their match against Japan after they had taken a 14^th minute lead from a Kobie McGurk penalty corner. With less than ten minutes play left, captain Madonna Blythe made it two, with Japan's Kaori Chiba making scoring a consolation goal two minutes later.

For Pool tables visit our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk and navigate to our World Cup page.

England play their second match this afternoon (Tuesday) when they meet China.

SOUTH AFRICA OUTCLASSED

South Africa was outclassed in their match against the hosts, Argentina, on the first day of play in the Women's World Cup in Rosario. Despite a 22^nd minute penalty corner equaliser from Pietie Coetzee, which cancelled out Noel Barrionuevo's earlier goal, the South African's had no answer to Luciana Aymar, whose hat-trick gave Argentina a 4-1 lead. A late consolation goal by Vida Ryan was met with a fifth Argentine goal from Marine Russo. Final Score, 5-2 to Argentina.

This result puts Argentina at the head of Pool B on goal difference, ahead of England.

GILBERT GOAL GIVES ENGLAND THREE POINT STARTER

Photo: Our photo by Daniel Carson shows England's Alex Danson in action, being challenged by Spain's Rocio Gutierrez.

England started their Women's World Cup campaign in Rosario today with an important win over Spain. But the match did not go all England's way. Spain opened their account with an early goal from Gloria Comerna after only four minutes of play, but a goal from Alex Danson and a penalty corner from Crista Cullen gave England a brief lead.

Carlota Petchame equalised for Spain just before half time, but the match was settled by a goal from Susie Gilbert in the dying seconds of the half. No goals in the second half meant that England emerged from the encounter as 3-2 winners.

Earlier, there had been a surprise win for Korea in the opening match of the tournament, when they overcame China 2-1. China is ranked 3^rd, whilst Korea is ranked eight places lower at 11^th.

The result of the remaining Pool B match between Argentina and South Africa will be posted on this blog in the morning (Monday).

England's next match is against China on Tuesday.

For pool tables, visit our World Cup page at our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk

AUSTRALIA TAKE CHAMPIONS TROPHY by Peter Savage in Monchengladbach

Photo: The victorious England team.

Australia were just too strong for England when they met in the final of the Champions Trophy here in Monchengladbach. Two goals in less than a minute, the first from a Luke Doerner corner and the second from Des Abbott, made England look outclassed. A third goal, scored by Jason Wilson, halfway through the first half, finally sunk England's hopes of getting their name on the trophy.

There had been some speculation that a little rain might slow the pitch and suit England against the fast running Australians. Instead of rain we had a monsoon, almost on the half time hooter. The rain was torrential enough to hold up play for well over 30 minutes and there was still some surface water left when the teams returned to resume play. It turned out that the speculation had been misplaced and an early second half goal from Jamie Dwyer gave the Australians a 4-0 victory and the Champions Trophy that went with the win.

The Netherlands overturned form in this tournament by soundly defeating Germany 4-1 to take the bronze medal. Plucky New Zealand succumbed to Spain 3-2 to take the sixth and last place.

Final places:

1. Australia
   
2. England
   
3. Netherlands
   
4. Germany
   
5. Spain
   
6. New Zealand
   

Looking back on the week, Australia were undoubtedly the best team here, winning each of their six matches. There was a general consensus amongst coaches that none teams here had played well, and England had the cards stacked against them with injuries to key players. But to give them credit, England has put in some gutsy performances and can feel proud of their silver medals.

LATE SMITH GOAL GIVES ENGLAND FINAL PLACE by Peter Savage at the Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach

Photo: James Tindall celebrates Richard Smith's late winning goal.

What an amazing day!. This morning there was a theoretical chance that England could make the final. It depended on the improbable chance that The Netherlands, who have had a poor tournament here, could overcome the hosts, Germany. But, of course, England had first to beat New Zealand, a side that has grown in stature incredibly as the week has progressed.

If, before today, you had asked me to name a New Zealand penalty corner striker, I would have been struggling, but I struggle no longer. Their Andrew Hayward nearly put pay to England's dreams of pulling themselves out of the basement end of this tournament. England went ahead twice in this match, only to be pegged back by Hayward's corner striking.

England got off to a dream start, with a goal from James Tindall in less than 60 seconds. Six minutes later it was one apiece, thanks to Hayward's first goal.

England went 3-1 ahead with a goal from Simon Mantell and a second from Tindall, but two second half goals from Hayward meant that England were facing earning just one point from this final match of the round-robin stage.

England were literally saved during the dying seconds, when Richard Smith collected a rebound from a penalty corner and fired home to give England a 4-3 win and another three points.

It all now depended on the results of the other matches. The meeting between The Netherlands and Germany was settled in the first eight minutes when Mink Van Der Weerden scored from a penalty corner. Despite some tense play and several referrals to the video umpire, the Germany could not break down the Dutch defence and the score remained at 1-0.

The well-oiled Australian goal machine looked as if it needed to go in for a service in the early stages of their match against Spain. Spain had already qualified by virtue of winning the previous four matches. Spain were on five points, which would have edged them over England on seven, if they recorded a victory. Each side scored just before the break but the second half was all Australia's and goals from Russell Ford and Des Abbott gave Australia a 3-1 win.

Remarkably, England now find themselves in the final against Australia tomorrow, no mean achievement considering how sparse points were in the early matches. Danny Kerry, the England women's coach, will be reflecting on the irony of his side failing to reach the finals with 10 points in Nottingham, whilst the men have done it here on seven.

Summary of today's matches:

England 4 New Zealand 3
Netherlands 1 Germany 0
Australia 3 Spain 1

Final table after five matches:
1. Australia 15 pts (+16)
2. England 7 pts (-1)
3. Germany 6 pts (+1)
4. The Netherlands 6 pts (-2)
5. Spain 5 pts (-4)
6. New Zealand 4 pts (-10)

Tomorrow's (Sunday) programme:

4^th/5^th place: Spain v New Zealand
3^rd/4^th place: Germany v The Netherlands
Final: England v Australia

ENGLAND’S WOMEN LOSE TO USA

A ninth minute penalty corner goal by Crista Cullen was all England could produce when they went down 5-1 to the USA in their second test at Bisham Abbey this afternoon.

ENGLAND SHOW TRUE GRIT by Peter Savage in Monchengladbach

Photo: The pain on the Dutch defender's face says it all, as Richard Alexander celebrates Jonty Clarke's equaliser in England's match against The Netherlands.

Sometimes it wasn't pretty, but you have to hand it to the England men, who managed to record their first win in this Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach. Sheer hard work, and a lot of grit, saw England get the better of their Dutch opponents, although the match hung in the balance until the final hooter was sounded.

Richard Alexander was able to find the net within five minutes of the start but the Dutch were soon on equal terms, courtesy of Rogier Hofman. England re-established their lead ten minutes later when Simon Mantell scored, only to see an almost immediate riposte from Jeroen Hertzberger. The Dutch took the lead for the first time in the match just before half time when Mink Van Der Weerden converted a penalty corner. Taeke Taekema is not at this tournament, so it was interesting to see other players taking corners for the Dutch.

The game looked as if it was going off the boil in the second half but, as full time approached, England picked up the pace and started to press the Dutch. The equaliser came from Jonty Clarke and then, with seven minutes left, Nick Catlin forced his way through the Dutch defence to set up Richard Alexander to score England's winner. Final score 4-3 to England.

Today's result unexpectedly dumps The Netherlands into bottom place, with England looking at the possibility of a crack at a medal if they can beat New Zealand on Saturday when they play their last match of the round robin stage.

Looking at today's other matches, you had to feel sorry for the New Zealanders, who nearly pulled off their second shock of the week when they met Spain. With seconds left to play, and with a 4-3 lead, they conceded a penalty corner which was converted by Spain's Miquel Delas in overtime. Germany v Australia is often a treat and their meeting this afternoon was no exception. The Germans struck first from a Martin Haner corner, but two goals from Des Abbott and a goal by Jamie Dwyer gave them the win and maximum points in the tournament to date.

Tomorrow (Friday) is a rest day.

Summary of today's play:

Spain 4 New Zealand 4
England 4 Netherlands 3
Australia 3 Germany 1

Table after five matches:
1. Australia 12 pts +14
2. Germany 6 pts +2
3. Spain 5 pts -2
4. England 4 pts -3
5. New Zealand 4 pts -9
6. Netherlands 3 pts -2

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ENGLAND WOMEN DEFEATED BY USA

Two late goals by Katie Long saved face for England as they looked at a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the USA in a test match at Bisham Abbey yesterday (Tuesday).

The USA, currently ranked 10^th in the world, took the lead in the 14^th minute when their captain, Keli Smith, opened the scoring. They went further ahead with a goal either side of half time, the first from Michelle Kasold and the second from Rachel Dawson.

Long's late second half goals, the first from a penalty corner, gave a final and more respectable score of 3-2 to the USA.

England play the USA again tomorrow (Thursday) in what will be their last match before travelling to Rosario for the Women's World Cup later this month.

England squad against the USA:
Crista Cullen (Leicester), Alex Danson (Reading), Jo Ellis (Reading), Gemma Ible (Clifton), Helen Richardson (Reading), Chloe Rogers (Leicester), Georgie Twigg (Clifton), Laura Unsworth (Leicester), Kate Walsh (c) (Reading), Sally Walton (Bowdon Hightown), Nicola White (Slough), Susie Gilbert (University of Birmingham), Katie Long (Leicester), Sam Quek (Bowdon Hightown), Natalie Seymour (Canterbury), Kerry Williams (Leicester)

BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR ENGLAND by Peter Savage at the Men’s Champions Trophy

Photo: Ashley Jackson fires off his first half goal against Australia.

Things could hardly have gone worse for England on the third day of play in the Men's Champions Trophy here in Monchengladbach.

England faced Australia this afternoon, a worrying prospect in itself. The Australian results so far have been awesome – they had scored 15 goals in two matches – and they were at their scoring best when they struck twice in two minutes midway through the first half against England. It looked as if England might be facing the same rout that New Zealand had suffered on Saturday. But somehow, England steadied the boat and managed to respond before half time with a well taken penalty corner from Ashley Jackson.

The Australians had by far the better share of possession for much of the game, and a third goal just before the break gave England fans no grounds for optimism. But England fought their way back into the match and were finally given their reward when Jonty Clarke scored five minutes before the end of the game. The final score, 3-2, is Australia's narrowest win of the tournament so far.

If losing was not enough, the results in the other matches sink England to the bottom of the table. The shock result of the day was the defeat of The Netherlands at the hands of New Zealand. It has taken 20 attempts for New Zealand to win a Champions Trophy match, and their performance so far in this tournament had them earmarked for the wooden spoon, but goals from Simon Child, Andrew Hayward and Blair Hilton gave them the surprise 3-1 win.

In the final match of the day, Spain also pulled off a surprise win, against the hosts Germany, beating them 3-2. This leaves England as the only side in the tournament without a win.

Wednesday is a rest day. England next face The Netherlands, on Thursday evening.

Summary of today's results:

New Zealand 3 Netherlands 1
Australia 3 England 2
Germany 2 Spain 3

Table after three matches:
1. Australia 9 pts (+12)
2. Germany 6 pts (+4)
3. Spain 4 pts (-2)
4. Netherlands 3pts (-2)
5. New Zealand 3pts (-9)
6. England 1 pt (-3)

GIRLS TAKE SILVER IN LILLE

England has won silver in the EuroHockey Junior Nations Championships, losing 4-1 to the Netherlands in the finals in Lille.

The boys had less luck in Poland, losing the bronze medal match to Germany. The final between The Netherlands and Belgium finished 4-1 to the Dutch.

GRINSTEAD'S PAYNE BANNED AFTER DOPING TEST

East Grinstead's Ben Payne has been banned from hockey until 16 April 2012 folllowing a random test carried out by the UK Anti Doping Agency after the club's Premier League match against Hampstead & Westminster on 13 March. His sample proved positive for a anabolic steroid substance.

ENGLAND START LIKE CHAMPIONS BUT DRAW TO SPAIN by Peter Savage at the Men’s Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach

Picture: England capain Glenn Kirkham intercepts Spain's Alex Fabregas.

England were introduced by the stadium announcer as European Champions and for the first five minutes against Spain they played like it, with two goals in quick succession, the first from captain Glenn Kirkham and the second from Iain MacKay.

England had upped the pace from the previous day and looked impressive. But as the game progressed the Spanish were showing a worrying amount of possession and, although England held them at bay for the first half, the pressure started to tell in the second. A series of penalty corners, one converted by Pau Quemada and the other by Miquel Delas, put the sides on even terms. Shaken by losing their lead, it only took sixty seconds for a solo run by Jackson to be picked up by Mackay for him to score his second to put England back in the lead.

Despite re-establishing a lead, England continued to be pressed by Spain, who finally had their reward when Gabriel Dabanch scored with six minutes left on the clock. Final score 3-3 and England's first point of the tournament.

In the earlier matches, New Zealand did not face the same onslaught as they had suffered against Australia yesterday, but their 5-2 defeat at the hands of Germany places them firmly at the bottom of the table.

The most intriguing match of the day was the meet between Australia and The Netherlands. The Netherlands might have thought that they had done enough at 3-2 with less than seven minutes left to play, but goals from Desmond Abbott, Jason Wilson, Jamie Dwyer and Russell Ford snatched victory from them. Final score, 6-3 to Australia.

Tomorrow (Monday) is a rest day. Play recommences on Tuesday.

SUMMARY OF SECOND DAY:

New Zealand 2 Germany 5
Netherlands 3 Australia 6
Spain 3 England

Table:
Australia 6 pts (+11)
Germany 6 pts (+5)
Netherlands 3 pts (+0)
England 1 pt (-2)
Spain 1 pt (-3)
New Zealand 0 pts (-11)