Reading were knocked out of the European competition losing their second and final Pool game 2-1 to Klipper from Hamburg and will now have to rise early for a 10a.m. place match against Ritm-Azot Grodno from Belarussia.
There were few chances at either end in an even first half although Thea Culley missed an open goal for Klipper. It took an inspirational break from Alena Hibig, Klipper’s diminutive 18-year-old defender, to break the deadlock. A quick exchange of passes and Hibig beat goalkeeper Sarah Ellis from the edge of the circle.
Ellis saved Klipper’s first penalty corner just before the interval but was beaten at the second one eight minutes into the second half when Saskia Timm scored from a rebound.
Now needing to score four goals Reading pressed forward but their only reward was a goal scored by Rebecca Halle diving full length for a reverse stick shot.
In Reading’s defence Chantal de Bruijn and Leah Wilikinson played well and Lisa Letchford (nee Wooding) was outstanding. Emma Thomas, the captain, was inspirational at centre half but it was further up the field where the attack largely lacked sufficient control or penetration.
Klipper’s reward is a quarter final match against Campo de Madrid who beat Grodno 3-1 in the final pool match. In the other quarter final at Wellington the host club will play Larensche.
RESULTS.
Pool C
Reading HC (Eng) 1 Klipper THC (Ger) 2
Pool D
Club de Campo (Spn) 3 HC Ritm-Azot Grodno (Blr) 1.
