IT’S TINA MBE!

Evergreen Bowdon Hightown player Tina Cullen has been awarded the MBE for services to hockey in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Also recognised is David South, the Chairman of Holcombe Hockey Club.

Tina's friends and colleagues have been campaigning for some years to have the 42 year old player and coach recognised for her contribution to hockey, and we at TalkHockeyRadio are proud to have been part of that campaign. Cullen made several appearances for England and Great Britain, but is probably best known as being one of the most prolific scorers in the Women's Premier Division, topping the scoring charts for several seasons. She is a two times winner of the Hockey Writers' Club Player of the Year Award. She remains active, not only as a player in Bowdon Hightown's successful 1^st Xl, but as a member of their indoor squad.

Although a very large number of honours were given to Olympic Athletes, none appears to have gone to the members of the bronze medal winning women's squad, or any other person connected with Olympic Hockey.

[Note: Christa Cullen, a member of the bronze medal winning GB Olympic squad is not related to Crista Cullen].

BEESTON AND LEICESTER LEAD THE PACK AS ENGLAND GOES INDOORS

The 2012-2013 Maxifuel Super Sixes season started last Saturday with both men's and women's Premier Divisions playing the first four of their eight scheduled matches.

For a competition that has often been played in cramped and dimly lit halls, the new venues were something of a revelation. The vast St Georges Park complex near Burton-upon-Water is a multi million pound training centre for football recently built by the FA. The proportions at Bromsgrove School, where the women played, were on more modest proportions, but still beyond our wildest dreams only a few years ago.

Probably one of the more interesting features of the men's league at St Georges were the guest players. Tin Davenport turned out again for Beeston, and was in devastating form, whilst Doncaster had managed to acquire the services of no less than Barry Middleton, who was returning to his original club. The Yorkshire side had also managed to pinch Beeston's Carl Smith. Indeed, the opening match of the season, which featured Beeston and Doncaster, turned into a titanic clash, with Doncaster putting on a late rally to almost puncture Beeston's hopes of qualifying for the finals. The eventual score was 8-6 to Beeston.

Canterbury's outdoor form failed to follow them indoors, when they went down to East Grinstead 2-11, despite the scoreboard showing the result as 2-112. But there was a reversal of fortunes for both sides when EG could only draw against Reading, and Canterbury were the 5-7 winners against Loughborough Students, Kwan Brown being our man of the match in that game.

Beeston dominated day two's proceedings with a 6-1 win over Bowdon, and a 1-10 win over Old Loughtonians, making the Nottingham side the only team with a 100% record at the end of the first weekend. They are being chased closely by East Grinstead, who scraped a 3-2 win over Old Loughtonians thanks to a late Ashley Jackson penalty stroke, followed by a more convincing 3-6 win against Loughborough Students. Reading are in third place after a narrow win against Surbiton (3-2) and a 5-5 draw against Canterbury which had seen them come back from 5-3 down.

So what of Doncaster? Doncaster recorded two wins, a draw and a defeat to put them in fourth place. The score was 5-5 for all of eight minutes against Loughborough Students before Joe Morrison scored their winner on the stroke of full time. Against Surbiton they trailed 3-2, before Tim Shelley and Barry Middleton found the net to give them a 3-4 win.

Men's Premier table after first weekend: 1. Beeston 12 pts (+17), 2. East Grinstead 10 pts (+13), 3. Reading 8 pts (+8), 4. Doncaster 7 pts (+0), 5. Canterbury 7 pts (-6), 6. Bowdon 4 pts (-1), 7. Surbiton 3 pts (-2), 8. Loughborough Students 0 pts (-13), 9. Old Loughtonians 0 pts (-13.

It is interesting to speculate how much difference the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards made to performances in the Women's Premier Division. The GB Women were guests, and those playing for their clubs at Bromsgrove were absent for all or part of the Sunday's proceedings. As an aside, no mention was made during the SPOTY of GB's Olympic bronze medal, although Martina Navratalova did comment on Kate Walsh's injury during a speech.

Only Leicester managed to maintain a 100% record over the weekend, with wins over University of Birmingham (3-5), Clifton (3-2), Sutton Coldfield (2-3) and Reading (5-1). Bowdon Hightown got off to a slightly shaky start with a 4-5 defeat at the hands of Sutton Coldfield, but managed to get back into the points with wins over Olton (3-6), University of Birmingham (5-1) and Slough (1-9). The much awaited appearance of the England indoor international Abi Harper, who transferred from Reading to Bowdon Hightown during the summer, did not take place due to an injury.

Bowdon are in second place, separated by goal difference from third place Canterbury. The Kent's side's opening match, against Slough, saw Sarah Kerly (she of famous father) score all six of Canterbury's goals against Slough in their 6-2 win, although their second match ended less well with a 5-4 defeat at the hands of Reading. A close fought 4-3 win over Olton, and a 3-5 win over Clifton, puts them in the vital top four.

Struggling outdoors, but with indoor glories fresh in our memories, Slough reached the second day with zero points. But the absence of Alex Danson from the Reading side on day two, seemed to spur them on to great things, and they won a surprising 3-5 victory over their neighbours, with the damage being done by Laura Puddle (3), Amy Turnbull and Alex Scott. Unfortunately for Slough, they were later on the wrong end of a 1-9 drubbing from Bowdon.

Women's Premier Division after four matches: 1. Leicester 12 points (+8), 2. Bowdon Hightown 9 pts (+14), 3. Canterbury 9 pts (+6), 4. Sutton Coldfield 7 pts (+2), 5. Reading 6 pts (-3), 6. Olton & WW 4 pts (-3), 7. Slough 3 Pts (-11), 8. Clifton 1 pt (-5), 9. University of Birmingham 1 pt (-8).

The Maxifuel Super Sixes plays its second and final weekend on 5^th/6^th January.

IMAGES FROM BOTH DIVISIONS CAN BE FOUND AT OUR SISTER SITE AT: www.HockeyImages.co.uk.

 

 

KERRY APPOINTED PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR

England women's head coach Danny Kerry has been appointed Performance Director of England Hockey. This follows the resignation of David Faulkner.

Kerry was appointed head coach in 2004, at a time when England were ranked 11^th in the world. During his period in charge the women have won bronze medals at the European Championships in Dublin (2005), Manchester (2007), Amsterdam (2009) and Monchengladbach (2011), plus a bronze in the Champions Trophy in Nottingham (2010), and silver in the Champions Trophy in Rosario, Argentina (2012). More recently, as head coach of Great Britain's women, they won bronze in the 2012 Olympic hockey tournament.

Since his appointment, England women's world ranking has risen from 11^th to fourth.

Kerry will take up his appointment on 2 January 2013. The recruitment of a replacement for him as women's head coach will start in the New Year.

ENGLAND FINISH BOTTOM IN CHAMPIONS TROPHY

The men's Champions Trophy in Melbourne ended today, with England finishing in bottom place after being sunk by a golden goal after their match against New Zealand ended 2-2 in normal time.

Although the result is disappointing for England, they are not the only nation to have experienced a difficult tournament. Olympic champions Germany were also the victim of a golden goal decider in their match for fifth place. Playing Belgium, now coached by former Dutch international Marc Lammers, they found themselves trailing 0-3 before staging a comeback. But at 4-3, with only two minutes left on the clock, Belgium was awarded a penalty stroke, which was converted by Alexandre De Saedeleer. Four minutes into golden goal extra time, Sebastien Dockier scored the winner for Belgium. As a result of the defeat Germany finish sixth in the tournament. One small compensation was the naming of Moriitz Fuerste as FIH Player of the Year.

The final was also settled by a golden goal, with Australia's Kieran Govers scoring in the 75^th minute in their match against The Netherlands.

The all Asian bronze medal match between Pakistan and India was won 2-1 by Pakistan.

In England's 7^th/8^th place match against New Zealand, the Kiwis drew first blood with a 19^th minute goal from Stephen Jenness. But Darren Cheesman equalised for England just before half time, and England took the lead mid-way through the second half when captain Barry Middleton found the net. But there was heartbreak for England when Nicholas Wilson scored New Zealand's equaliser with less than ten minutes of ordinary time left. New Zealand's winner came from Wilson as the end of the first period of extra time neared. Final score 2-1 to New Zealand.

Final positions: 1. Australia, 2. The Netherlands, 3. Pakistan, 4. India, 5. Belgium, 6. Germany, 7. New Zealand, 8 England.

A full report on the Champions Trophy will appear in the January edition of our on-line magazine, HockeyTalk.

ENGLAND LOSE IN MELBOURNE

England lost their quarter final match against Australia in the Champions Trophy in Melbourne yesterday. The Australian goals came one in each half, from Jamie Dwyer and Christopher Ciriello.

After the game England head coach Jason Lee said, "I thought we played a very solid game. Our lack of clinical circle play was the key difference between the two sides today and Australia took their chances well. Overall I was really pleased with the performance."
England will now play Belgium in the 6^th-8^th place match today (Friday).

Other results yesterday:

Germany 1-2 Pakistan
Netherlands 2-0 New Zealand

India 1-0 Belgium

Australia 2-0 England

 

TWELVE GOALS AT CANTERBURY AS MATCH ESCAPES FROST. A round up of matches in the England Hockey League and men’s Champions Trophy.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, this has been a crazy season, with some unexpected results.

TalkHockeyRadio was at the top-of-the-table Men's Premier Division clash between Canterbury and Beeston this afternoon. Whilst the final result was predictable, the number of goals scored was not. Both have been involved in some high scoring matches this season, but we imaged that the two sides would have largely cancelled each other out when they met each other.

The game was marked by some notable goals, the first coming from Cantebury's Liam Foster in the third minute. Canterbury did not celebrate for long. Carl Smith equalised a minute later. When Isaac O'Connor put Canterbury back in front soon after, we did not have to wait long before Sam Dixon converted a penalty corner to make the score 2-2.

Although the two sides went into half time at 4-4, you could sense that the match was gradually moving in Beeston's favour, and second goals from Carl Smith and Sam Dixon, plus a goal from Craig Boyne (to add to his first half strike) gave Beeston a commanding lead. Canterbury's Michael Farrer scored from a penalty corner in the dying minutes, but by then it was too late, and the match ended 5-7.

Canterbury had saved the match from postponement by moving it to their second pitch, but there was no such luck at Paddington Rec, where the match between Hampstead & Westminster and Southgate fell foul to a frozen pitch.

Surprisingly, the two most northerly matches in the Premier Division survived the frost. Charlie Brooke equalised for Brooklands MU soon after David Harris had put Cannock ahead from the penalty spot. Final score there, 1-1. Andy Bull did all the work for Loughborough Students, scoring both their goals in their 2-2 draw against Surbiton.

Two sides we have been watching carefully this season are East Grinstead and Reading. The two met this afternoon at Saint Hill, with Richard Mantell giving the visitors a first half lead. Reading scored two late goals from Richard Springham and Tom Carson, but East Grinstead were unable to muster up a reply and the match ended 0-3.

As a result of today's games, EG slip from fifth to seventh, separated by goal difference from Surbiton in sixth place and Reading in fifth.

Former East Grinstead players scored twice for England in Champions Trophy in Melbourne. Adam Dixon and Harry Martin had given England an early lead against Germany, when Richard Smith scored an own goal to put the score at 2-1. It was just before half time that Germany's Mats Grambusch, formerly of EG, put the ball into his own net to make the score 3-1. The other former EG player, Darren Cheesman, scored the fifth and final goal of the game to give England a 4-1 win.

Today's Results:
Belgium v Pakistan: 0-2
England v Germany: 4-1
Netherlands v Australia (Score awaited)
New Zealand v India (Score awaited)

Pool A
India (3 pts)
England (3 pts)
Germany (3 pts)
New Zealand (0 pts)

Pool B
Australia (3 pts)
Netherlands (3 pts)
Pakistan (3 pts)
Belgium (0 pts)

 

GOALFEST AT SUTTON. A round-up of today’s matches in the Investec League and the Champions Trophy.

The Investec Women's Hockey League goes into its winter recess after this weekend, but winter struck early for two important matches. Amongst the front runners, only Reading saw action today, with the matches between Bowdon Hightown and Surbiton, and Leicester and Cantebury being postponed due frozen pitches.

Reading enjoyed another high scoring match when they visited Olton & West Warwicks. Goals from Jessica Brooker, Alex Danson (2), Elizabeth Hunt, Emma Thomas and Amanda Potgeiter, gave them a 1-6 win, and they move up to third, behind Canterbury and Leicester, both of whom have games in hand.

Also in goal scoring mood were University of Birmingham, who put five past Slough. With seven matches left until the end of the season, a gap is starting to open up between University of Birmingham in eighth place and the two relegation candidates, Olton and Slough. Final score at Slough 1-5.

On a day when none of the matches ended with less than six goals being scored, the match between Sutton Coldfield and Clifton turned out to be a real goalfest. Both sides have been sliding gently down the table since a good start to the season, so points were important for both. Sutton might have thought those points were in the bag when the score reached 4-1, but Clifton crept back into the match and, at 5-4 in Sutton Coldfield's favour, Emily Atkinson equalised in the 64^th minute. Two minutes later there was heartbreak for the home side, with Zoe Leach scoring Clifton's winner. Final score, 5-6. The result means that the two sides swap places in the table, with Clifton moving up to sixth.

There were no matches in any of the women's conferences today. Last weekend was the final before the winter break.

A relatively inexperienced England side got off to a disappointing start when they played India in the Champions Trophy in Melbourne today. A Richard Smith penalty corner conversion in the first half started the scoring but India finally won the match 1-3.

England meet the Olympic Champions Germany tomorrow

Today's Results (1 December):
Netherlands v Pakistan: 3-1
Germany v New Zealand: 3-2
Australia v Belgium: 4-2
England v India: 1-3

Pool A
1. India (3 pts), 2. Germany (3 pts), 3.New Zealand (0 pts), 4. England (0 pts).

Pool B
1. Australia (3 pts), 2.Netherlands (3 pts), 3. Belgium (0 pts), 4. Pakistan (0 pts)