READING STUMBLE INTO KO16 by Peter Colwill at the Euro Hockey League in East Grinstead

Reading reached the last sixteen.   Needing only a draw, they stumbled to a 2-1 win against St. Germain.  Jean-Baptiste Pauchet put the French club ahead in the 8^th minute and Reading had to wait until the start of the second half when Chris Cargo levelled.  Five penalty corners and a penalty stroke went begging.  Simon Mantell hit the post with the stroke as he had done earlier in open play, and Darren Cheesman twice fired wide when well placed.  In the penultimate minute Tom Carson took advantage of St. Germain’s all-out attack to score the winner.

Rot Weiss Koln’s 12-1 demolition of Wien ensured Glynhill Hotel Kelburne’s qualification.  Trailing 0-9 at half time, Wien held their half-time team talk in the centre of the pitch, most unpleasant in this weather, but something must have worked.  They lined up two minutes ahead of Rot Weiss and a much improved performance produced a 3-1 second half.

Lisnagarvey produced a wonderfully spirited and skilful performance to qualify, losing 0-3 to Bloemendaal coached by Russell Garcia.  Needing to avoid defeat by 5 goals, they held the Dutch club to 0-0 until the final quarter.  Goalkeeper John Tormey saved the first of only 3 Bloemendaal corners with his stick in the top corner.  Influential midfielder Peter MacDonnell bravely charged down Olmer Meijer’s shot at the second, but was injured in the process.  Three goals followed in his absence but his return steadied the ship.

Alastair Brogdon scored a spectacular goal for Waterloo Ducks in their 2-1 win against East Grinstead for whom Rick Gay converted a penalty corner.  Both sides had already qualified.

Qualified from Round 1.2
Pool B: KHC Dragons & Reading
Pool D:  Waterloo Ducks & East Grinstead
Pool G: Bloemendaal & Lisnagarvey
Pool H:  Rot Weiss Koln & Glynhill Hotel Kelburne

PHOTOGRAPHS OF TODAY’S MATCHES ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW AT OUR SISTER WEB SITE www.HockeyImages.co.uk,

READING LOSE BUT BRITS LOOKING GOOD by Peter Colwill at the Euro Hockey League in East Grinstead

Glynhill Hotel Kelburne have almost certainly qualified for the last sixteen by beating AHTC Wien 3-1, but Reading will need at least a draw against Saint Germain on Sunday after losing 3-4 to KHC Dragons in a match in which they led twice.  Simon Mantell scored in the second minute.  Jesse Van Minde’s equaliser was disputed by Reading for a free hit travelling straight into the circle.

Craig Peel put Reading in front just before half time, but Van Minde equalised early in the second half.  Loick Luypaert slotted a penalty corner.  Jonty Clarke blasted an equaliser before Jeffrey Thys , the Dragons’ captain, scored the winner.

Kelburne went behind in the fifth minute when Michael Bremner’s back pass was intercepted, resulting in a goal for Adam Amtmanski.  They came back playing controlled and purposeful hockey.  A long pass into the circle by Mark Ralph, their superlative central defender, was deftly turned into goal by William Marshall, another defender. 

Kelburne took the lead at the start of the second half with the best move of the match in which Chris Nelson and Ross McIntyre featured prominently before Alan Forsyth scored.  Kelburne failed to score from a series of penalty corners and were indebted to Bremner who charged down Wien’s second corner ten minutes from time.  With Wien pressing, Kelburne’s third was scored on a breakaway by John Christie.

Lisnagarvey kept their hopes of qualification alive, coming back from a 3-0 half time deficit to draw 3-3 with Lille.  Timothy Cockram converted two penalty corners with Philip Stirling scoring the other.

Waterloo Ducks’ 4-0 win against Stroitel Brest ensured both their and East Grinstead ‘s qualification.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF TODAY’S MATCHES ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW AT OUR SISTER WEB SITE www.HockeyImages.co.uk,

Hannah MacLeod has been reunited with her Olympic bronze medal. It was posted anonymously to England Hockey. Her jacket is still missing and, although a man has been arrested, police still regard this as an ongoing enquiry.

In a statement issued by England Hockey on Hannah's behalf she said,

"I'm extremely pleased to have been reunited with my medal. It's a huge relief. I'm enormously grateful to the Metropolitan Police and in particular to DCI James Harman who has kept me informed of their investigation throughout.

"I am indebted to everyone who has tweeted about it, everyone who has got in touch and who has publicised the situation. I can't thank you enough. I think all of you played a part in encouraging whoever had my medal to return it.

"Given the huge impact the Olympic Games has had on London and the UK I always held hope that it would be returned but it's still incredible to know now I have my medal back. People understand how much these medals mean to the athletes and those in the communities who have played their part in supporting us.

"I'm conscious that the police investigation is still ongoing and that Alex Partridge's medal is yet to be returned and I urge whoever has it to return it too.

"Once again, I'd like thank everyone who has played a part."

FIREWORKS BEFORE – LITTLE SPARKLE TO START. By Peter Colwill at the EuroHockey League Round 1.2 at Saint Hill.

There were fireworks before East Grinstead's match against Stroitel Brest, the Belarussian Champions, but there was little sparkle on the pitch in the first quarter. Although the hosts secured a comfortable 5-0 victory, they had to wait until the 23^rd minute for Andy Piper, the pick of the Grinstead forwards, to put them ahead. Mark Pearn increased the lead with a thunderous drive from the top of the circle.

At the other end Jack Marfleet took the ball off the line from just underneath the bar following a penalty corner, before Glenn Kirkham and Piper, with his second goal, increased the lead, all in an eventful second quarter.

In a largely uneventful second half there were few difficulties for Grinstead and Adam Jordan added a fifth.

KHC Dragons and Saint Germain, who are in Reading's Pool played out the closest match of the day with victory going to the Belgium side only 2-1 despite their considerable dominance.

Teun de Nooijer gave a masterful display including scoring 2 goals in Bloemendaal's 7-2 demolition of Lille.

Jan Marco Montag slotted in 3 penalty corners in Rot Weiss Koln's win against Glynhill Hotel Kelburne whose consolation goal was scored by Ben Peterson.

Pool B    KHC Dragons (Bel) 2 Saint Germain HC (Fra) 1

Pool D    East Grinstead 5 SC Stroitel Brest (Blr) 0

Pool G    Lille MHC (Fra) 2 HC Bloemendaal (Ned) 7

Pool H    Glynhill Hotel Kelburne 1 KTHC Rot Weiss Koln 8

 

PICTURES FROM TODAY'S MATCHES ARE ON OUR SISTER WEB SITE AT: www.HockeyImages.co.uk.

MAN ARRESTED OVER MEDAL THEFT

The Metropolitan Police announced today that they had arrested a man in connection with the theft of Hannah MacLeod's Olympic bronze medal. However, the medal has still not been recovered.

OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL STOLEN DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?

HOCKEY OLYMPIAN HANNAH MACLEOD'S BRONZE STOLEN!  At a party in London following the reception at Buckingham Palace for the GB Olympians, GB rower Alex Partridge discovered that a blazer containing his London 2012 medal had been stolen. Shortly afterwards, Hannah MacLeod, a member of the GB bronze medal winning team, reported that her medal was also missing. Hannah Tweeted late last night "My medal was also stolen at the same time. Totally devestated." Later she Tweeted "I'm not after punishment. If you picked up a medal that isn't yours, pls send anonymously back to GB Hockey - Bisham Abbey."  CCTV images at the Mayfair Club captured the face of a suspect.

BEESTON’S WOMEN IN 25 GOAL WEEKEND BLITZ

There were matches in both the men's England Hockey League and the Investec Women's Cup yesterday. But the result that caught our eye was Beeston's 13-0 annihilation of Norwich City in the Cup. It was not the biggest score of yesterday's Round 2 matches – that accolade goes to Sevenoaks, who put 18 past Fareham for no reply – but it follows closely on the heals of Beeston's 12-0 win over Liverpool Sefton in Saturday's North conference match. Beeston's Sophie Robinson scored six times yesterday and three times on Saturday. We don't suppose it is a record, but it's certainly some achievement.

In addition to Beeston and Sevenoaks, Bristol Firebrands, Buckingham, Cannock, Liverpool Sefton, Clifton, Harrogate, Chelmsford, Sutton Coldfield, Bowdon Hightown, Brooklands Poynton and Bedford Town, all won their matches and progress to Round 3. Teddington, University of Birmingham and Wimbledon, had walkovers and also progress to Round 3.

In the Premier Division of the England Hockey League, Beeston continue their onward march at the top with a 7-2 win over Surbiton. Beeston have a game in hand as a result of last weekend's EuroHockey League matches, and they currently match Canterbury on 15 points, separated only be goal difference. Canterbury had a 6-1 win over Hampstead & Westminster in what was a high scoring day all round.

There were nine goals at both East Grinstead and Cannock. East Grinstead were sunk by two late goals by Loughborough Student's Andy Bull and Maxime Cerulus, and a the third goal of a hat-trick from Glenn Kirkham, scored in the dying seconds, could not save 'Grinstead from a 4-5 defeat. The other nine-goal match was at Cannock, where visitors Southgate were 5-2 behind until the last five minutes. Playing catch-up, two late goals were not enough to secure any points and Cannock emerged as 5-4 winners.

The remaining Premier Division match saw Reading go down 3-2 at Brooklands MU.

Yesterday's results see Cannock race up the table to third place, behind Beeston and Canterbury. Reading and East Grinstead both drop one place to fourth and fifth respectively. Surbiton drop two places in the bottom slot, as do Southgate into ninth.

FULL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR MAIN WEB SITE AT www.TalkHockeyRadio.co.uk. PICTURES FROM YESTERDAY'S WEST CONFERENCE MATCH BETWEEN GUILDFORD AND UNIVERSITY OF EXETER CAN BE FOUND ON OUR SISTER SITE AT www.HockeyImages.co.uk.

 

 

NO CHANGE AT TOP OF INVESTEC LEAGUE

A number of interesting results in the Premier Division of the Investec Women's Hockey League failed to bring about any shifts at the top of the table this afternoon.

The most dramatic result was the match between Leicester and Reading, where Katie Long scored a hat trick for Leicester, and new girl Nicola White, and Jo Hunter, added one apiece in their sides 5-0 win. Leicester move up one place to fifth and Reading move down one place to eighth. But otherwise the table remains fairly static.

The major loser from today's matches was Clifton, who slip from fourth to sixth after their match against leaders Canterbury. Clifton opened the scoring with a goal in their own net after only three minutes. Canterbury's own efforts saw goals from Eliza Brett, Sarah Kerly and Lisa Hapke in their 4-2 win.

This season's surprise package, Sutton Coldfield, retain their second place with a win away at Olton and West Warwicks. A seventh minute goal from Olton's Naomi James gave the home side a lead which lasted for all of 37 minutes, but two penalty corner conversions in quick succession from Vicky Woolford, and goals from Jane Sixsmith and Sarah Mills, gave Sutton a 1-4 win. Olton remain in ninth place.

Surbiton are in third place on the same points as Sutton Coldfield. Surbiton managed to score all three goals in their win over University of Birmingham. An own goal by Surbiton was all that the University were able to show in their 1-2 defeat. Slough's woes continue, as they lost 1-4 at home to Bowdon Hightown. Slough are still without a point after six matches.

In the Conferences, the top three in the East remain unchanged after today's matches, with Harleston Magpies one point ahead of Ipswich and Sevenoaks. Old Loughtonian's surrender their fourth place to Wimbledon after losing 2-0 away at Sevenoaks. Leaders in the North, Beeston are on the same points as second placed University of Durham, but this afternoon's 12-0 thrashing of Liverpool Sefton gives them an unassailable goal difference. In the West, Buckingham remains the only side in the League to have a 100% record, after a narrow 1-0 win over Swansea City.

FULL TABLES CAN BE FOUND ON OUR MAIN WEB SITE AT www.TalkHockeyRadio.co.uk.

SURBITON AND SOUTHGATE RECORD THEIR FIRST WINS IN STYLE. A round-up of yesterday’s matches.

The TalkHockeyRadio team were the guests of Old Loughtonians yesterday for their pitch opening and double header against Bromley & Beckenham (more of that later), so we had to hold over our review of yesterday's matches until this morning (Sunday).

Before looking at yesterday's league results, it is worth reflecting on Beeston's incredible result against Amsterdam in yesterday's Round 1.1 EuroHockey League match in Barcelona. We checked our records and it is only the second time in the history of the League that a Dutch team has lost a Round 1 match. (The first occasion was when KHC Dragons beat Rotterdam last season).

But 45 minutes into the game, the chances of Beeston pulling off such a coup looked remote. They were 3-1 down thanks to goals from Amsterdam's Spanish stars Santi Frexia and Roc Oliva and captain Billy Bakker. Beeston's contribution to the scoresheet came from David Ames in the 27^th minute. Any hope from Beeston's second goal, scored by skipper Adam Dixon, was soon wiped out by a response from Amsterdam's penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema, to put the score at 4-2. But Beeston clearly did not abandon hope of winning the match, and in the space of four minutes came goals from Martin Jones, David Ames and Mark Wadsley.

The 4-5 result means that Beeston top Pool A and will be seeded when the draw is made for Round 2 at Easter.

The Men's England Hockey League is looking a topsy turvy place at the moment. With only three games played yesterday due to the absence of Beeston and the re-arranged match between Reading and Canterbury (being played today), there were some surprising results from two sides that the league has not favoured so far.

The return of their internationals seems to have spurred Surbiton back into life after a worrying start to their season. They won their first match of the season yesterday, with two goals apiece from Rob Moore and Alexander Penney, plus goals from James Tindall and James Penney. The result, a 6-1 lwin over visiting Cannock, lifts Surbiton off the bottom place into eighth.

The other side to record their first win of the season was Southgate, who took apart newly promoted Brooklands MU 7-0, with the goals from Dan Shingles (3), Callum Burden, Timmy Smith (2) and Francois Pretorius. Southgate move up from ninth to seventh.

In the only other match in the men's Premiership yesterday, Hampstead & Westminster and East Grinstead drew 1-1. The result leaves no less than four clubs on seven points, with Reading in third place, followed by East Grinstead, Hampstead & Westminster and Cannock. Reading could move up into second place if they beat Canterbury this afternoon.

Also sharing points are the sides top of the table in of the Premier Division of the Investec Women's League. The surprise leaders five weeks into the season are Sutton Coldfield, who made Slough's dire season even worse with a 7-0 win at home. Vicky Woolford (2) and the evergreen Jane Sixsmith always seem to be amongst the scorers and they were joined in this match by a hat-trick from Celia Butler and a goal from Sarah Mills. The result moves Sutton Coldfield up four places, although they can be overtaken by Canterbury who will be playing Reading this afternoon in the double header at Sonning Lane.

Surbiton women had their balloon burst by Leicester yesterday, losing at home 1-2. Surbiton's visitors last weekend, Bowdon Hightown, perked up their season with at 2-1 win at home to Olton and West Warwicks. Both of Bowdon's goals came from Tina Cullen. Unfortunately, their second win of the season still leaves them in fifth place. After a promising start to the season, Clifton have gone off the boil and slip to fourth after a 2-2 draw against visiting Birmingham Uni.

As mentioned earlier, TalkHockeyRadio was at Old Loughtonians for their double header against Bromley & Beckenham. Luxborough Lane is a living example of the Olympic legacy, its blue and pink pitches a reminder that the club was chosen to host the hockey training facility for 2012. The double header was also the occasion of the club's President's Day and the 'official' opening of the new pitches. Of course, the new pitches were already in use at the end of the 2011-2012 season, but the club was looking to a post-Olympic occasion for a formal opening to make the new pitches truly their own.

The chocolate cake in the clubhouse was truly magical, but out on the pitch the rain failed to dampen what was an entertaining encounter between Old Loughts women and their visitors. The Loughts have made some interesting acquisitions during the summer, including ex-England goalkeeper Becky Duggan, and the very talented South African international Lauren Penny, poached from Slough. Bromley & Beckenham's women joined the East Conference this season, and have found the going difficult. Although they made a game effort against the home side, with their Emma Greenway scoring from a penalty corner in the third minute, the difference between the two sides eventually told, with Penny, Izzy Jones and Madeline Row all scoring for Old Loughts. The final score, 3-1, promotes them from sixth to fourth in the table, whilst Bromley & Beckenham remain rooted at the bottom of the table.

It's amazing the difference a season can make, because Bromey & Beckenham men had to play the get-out-of-gaol card via the relegation play-offs last season. Yesterday morning they stood in second place, five above Old Loughtonians in the East Conference. In what was a feisty affair, a tad too feisty on one or two occasions, Bromley & Beckenham took an early lead with a goal from Peter Dobson. Jonny Brown equalised for Old Loughts, and Adnan Zakir gave them a brief lead before James Grannell equalised for the Becks. The score remained at 2-2 for less than a minute before Stephen Roche scored for the visitors to give them a brief lead. Just before the half time whistle, James Southgate was on hand to convert a penalty corner for the Loughts, taking the teams in at the break at 3-3.

The game was eventually decided in the 17^th minute of the second half, with a penalty corner conversion from Oliver Didham. Final score 4-3 to the home side in what was a thoroughly entertaining match. The result moves Old Lougtonians up one place to sixth, whilst Bromley & Beckenham slip down to third. And did we mention the chocolate cake? It was sublime.

PICTURES OF THE DOUBLE HEADER AT OLD LOUGHTONIANS WILL APPEAR ON OUR SISTER WEB SITE AT WWW.HOCKEYIMAGES.CO.UK SOON. RESULTS AND TABLES FROM STATURDAY'S MATCHES CAN BE FOUND ON OUR MAIN WEB SITE AT WWW.TALKHOCKEYRADIO.CO.UK.

CANTERBURY CONFOUND OUR EARLY PESSIMISM. A round up of this afternoon’s league and cup matches.

Canterbury continue to confound our early season pessimism by going into second place in the Men's Premier Division after beating Surbiton 1-2 away. A James Gall goal had given Surbiton a brief lead in the 51^st minute, but Michael Farrer equalised from a penalty corner five minutes later, and Kwan Brown put the icing on Canterbury's cake with a 69^th minute goal. Surbiton find themselves in the unfamiliar territory of bottom place with one point from four games.

It was a late goal at Highfields which kept Beeston at the top of the table. Playing East Grinstead at home, Simon Egerton scored a last gasp goal from a corner – his second of the game – to beat their visitors 3-2. EG slip two places down the table to fifth. Reading found themselves travelling in the opposite direction with a useful win at home against Southgate. Southgate staged a late rally with a Callum Burden goal, but with only two minutes left on the clock they were unable to capitalise on it. Reading move up to third, whilst Southgate stay in the play-off slot.

Loughborough Students must have been full of optimism as they went into the second half of their match against Cannock, 3-1 ahead. Their day was spoilt by a Peter Jackson hat-trick, which saw the match end 3-4 in Cannock's favour. Cannock move up from fifth to fourth, whilst the Students slip from sixth to seventh. Brooklands MU, who seemed to be having a better season than expected, found themselves on the wrong end of a 1-3 scoreline at home to Hampstead & Westminster. Brooklands go from seventh to eighth, whilst the West London side move up to sixth.

In the Conferences, Wimbledon lost their 100% record in the East when they played Holcombe yesterday evening. Ironically, their 2-2 draw keeps Wimbledon in top place whilst Holcombe slip down to third. In the North, Sheffield Hallam retain their 100% record by beating Belper 5-3 this afternoon. After a hesitant start to their season, Bath Buccaneers have moved into more familiar territory in the West Conference table. A 4-2 win over Firebrands promotes them to top place.

Round 1 of the Investec Women's Cup was played the afternoon. 13 turned out to be the unlucky number for Maidstone as they went down 13-0 at the hands of Surbiton, going one better than Sutton Coldfield who beat Old Halesonians 12-0. The other matches involving Premiership clubs saw Clifton beat Gloucester City 2-1, and Birmingham University beat Stourport 1-5.

SURBITON DROP POINTS BUT RETAIN LEAD. A roundup of yesterday’s Investec Womne’s League matches

Four games into the Investec Women's League season, and a decreasing number of clubs remain on maximum points.

Amongst the casualties yesterday afternoon were table leaders, Surbiton, who were playing host to Bowdon Hightown in the Premier Division. Both clubs have been busy in the transfer market during the Summer, with the biggest coup probably going to Surbiton, who managed to recruit Olympic bronze medallist Georgie Twigg. Also joining their ranks were Sarah Haycroft and Sarah Page from Birmingham Uni, and Natalie Maclean from Slough. Bowdon have gained the very talented Abi Harper from Reading. With a number of new players on display, it was an ideal match for TalkHockeyRadio to visit.

Played in glorious sunshine, unlike the conditions when we visited Sugden Road two weeks ago, both sides provided excellent entertainment for the modest crowd. Although possession was generally shared throughout the match, Surbiton seemed to have the edge in the first half, and a 33^rd minute goal from Amy Bryant opened the scoring. Surbiton held onto their 1-0 lead until Sally Walton stepped up at a penalty corner 11 minutes into the second half to equalise for Bowdon. From that point the balance of power seemed to shift in Bowdon's favour, but the match finished 1-1.

PICTURES FROM THIS MATCH ARE ON OUR SISTER WEB SITE AT WWW.HOCKEYIMAGES.CO.UK.

Although it was Bowdon's first win of the season, and the first points that Surbiton had dropped, it makes no difference to their table positions. Surbiton remain in first place on 10 points, separated on goal difference from Canterbury. Canterbury recorded their third win of the season, after beating League Champions Leicester. Bowdon Hightown are in fifth place on five points, with Leicester in sixth, also on five points.

Among the spectators at Sugden Road was Olympic bronze medal winner Ashleigh Ball, recently of Slough. When we asked her whether we should read anything into this (and she is also a former Bowdon Hightown player) she remained tight lipped, but said that she would not be playing for Slough this season. The diaspora of players from Slough has left them weakened and after yesterday they dropped to bottom place, after being beaten 2-1 by Birmingham University, with Laura Puddle scoring their only goal. In fairness, their four defeats in four games have not been by massive margins (their goal difference is a modest -6), so perhaps there is a glimmer of hope.

In the other matches in the Premier Division, Clifton's championship ambitions took a knock when goals from Jane Sixsmith and Vicky Woolford gave Sutton Coldfield a 0-2 win. Despite the near absence of Suttton Coldfield from the transfer market during the summer, they have been the surprise package so far this season, rising from sixth to fourth on the back of yesterday's result. The other side with hopes for a championship place, Reading, also waved goodbye to three points, as a single goal from Olton & West Warwick's Mandy Gatherer, hauled the West Midlands side off the bottom place.

The North Conference table remains relatively static after yesterday's matches, although Whitley Bay & Tynemouth's 0-2 win away at Liverpool Sefton lifts them from eighth to fourth in the table. Leaders University of Durham, who beat Doncaster 0-4 away, are one of only two Investec clubs with a 100% record.

There are no changes at the top of the East Conference table, despite Harleston Magies dropping points at home with a 0-0 draw against Ipswich. Horsham closed the gap by beating struggling Bromley & Beckenham. Magpies lead the table on eight points with a goal difference of +3, with Horsham also on eight points with a goal difference of +2.

In the West Conference, Buckingham continue to dominate, with a four wins out of four, as they saw off Barnes Hounslow Ealing 0-3. Second placed Gloucester City, who had been on nine points with Buckingham , slipped back after drawing 1-1 at Swansea City.

FULL RESULTS WITH SCORERS AND TABLES ARE ON OUR MAIN WEB SITE AT WWW.TALKHOCKEYRADIO.CO.UK.