INDOOR PREMIER REVIEW FOR FIRST WEEKEND

We were not quite sure what to expect from indoor hockey in its new five-a-side format, but what we did get in the Maxinutrition Indoor Championships Men’s Premier Division was lots of goals.  The first three matches on Saturday produced three draws with a total of 42 goals.

The usual suspects emerged as the leaders after four matches and two days of play. East Grinstead took maximum points with wins over Beeston (6-2), Reading (6-8), Canterbury (7-8) and Holcombe (6-2).  Reading, in second place with three wins and a defeat, had the highest scoring margin of the weekend, beating Loughborough Students 1-16.

The once great Students have had a dismal weekend, despite recording two draws.  Losing against Reading, and their 3-8 defeat at the hands of Canterbury, gives them a huge negative goal difference of -20.

The Men’s Premier Division reconvenes on the weekend of 4^th/5^th January to play its final matches.  The top four will go through to the finals at Wembley on 2 February.

Men’s Premier Division after four matches. 

1.       East Grinstead 12 pts (+11)

2.       Reading  9 pts (+17)

3.       Bowdon 7 pts (+4)

4.       Canterbury 6 pts (+9)

5.       Sevenoaks 5 pts  (-2)

6.       Holcombe 4 pts (+0)

7.       Beeston 4 pts (-2)

8.       Loughborough Students 2 pts (-20)

9.       Doncaster 1 pt (-17) 

The scorelines were less dramatic down the road at the Women’s Premier League. The leaders after four matches include the usual suspects, with Slough on maximum points.  They had a less than encouraging start by beating struggling Olton by a relatively modest 2-4, but went on to beat Canterbury by a more convincing 8-3, followed by wins over East Grinstead (0-5) and Sutton Coldfield (5-1). 

It seemed like someone had turned back the clock. Not only were Slough topping the table, but close behind were Bowdon Hightown, with the familiar name of Tina Cullen appearing more than once. Bowdon’s only slip-up was in their opening match against East Grinstead, where they allowed Grinstead’s Alicia Caillard to equalise with two late goals to finish the match 3-3.

Olton’s outdoor misfortunes have followed them indoors with zero points after four matches. It is probably more surprising to see Leicester in the same position.  Both will be facing relegation unless their fortunes change when the sides meet again during the weekend of 4^th/5^th January.

PICTURES FROM THE WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION WILL APPEAR AT WWW.HOCKEYIMAGES.CO.UK TOMORROW MORNING.

Women’s Premier Division after four matches:

1.       Slough 12 pts (+16)

2.       Bowdon Hightown 10 pts (+12)

3.       Reading 9 pts (+17)

4.       Canterbury 7 pts (+4)

5.       Sutton Coldfield 7 pts  (-1)

6.       East Grinstead 4 pts (-7)

7.       Harleston Magpies 3 pts (-7)

8.       Leicester 0 pts (-13)

9.       Olton & West Warwicks 0 pts (-21)

FULL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.TALKHOCKEYRADIO.CO.UK.

ENGLAND FINISH FOURTEENTH. News from the Junior World Cup.

It was double heartbreak for the England under 21 team in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi earlier today.

Playing Spain, they were 0-2 behind until late in the first half, when Chris Proctor found the net.  England hopes were raised when captain Andy Bull equalised from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half, but Spain were awarded a penalty corner with two minutes left on the clock, which was converted by Alejandro De Frutos.

The final score of 2-3 in Spain’s favour means that England have finished 14^th.  Although this is an improvement on the last Junior World Cup (when England finished 16^th), it is an embarrassing end to the tournament for a nation ranked fourth in the World.

In an earlier match Egypt beat Canada 3-0, and thus avoided last place. The 11^th/12^th match was won by Argentina, who beat South Africa 1-4.  

The Final and bronze medal match are being played tomorrow.

FRANCE REACH JUNIOR WORLD CUP FINAL - ENGLAND PLAY FOR 13th PLACE

France are the surprise finalists in tomorrow’s John World Cup Finals in New Delhi tomorrow.  

France, who are ranked 17^th in the World, meet Germany after winning their semi final match yesterday.  Playing Malaysia, the match ended 1-1, but was settled in favour of France after a shoot-out decider. 

Meanwhile, England play their last match in the tournament this afternoon to decide the 13^th/14^th place.  On Thursday they played Egypt to reach this stage, winning the match 6-1, with goals from James Gall, Luke Taylor, Nicholas Bandurak (2), David Goodfield and Andy Bull.  

This afternoon England play Spain.  Sadly, if England lose the match and finish 14^th, it will be an improvement on the 2009 result, when England finished 16^th. 

The bronze medal match tomorrow will be between Malyasia and The Netherlands.  The Netherlands were beaten by Germany 5-3 in their bronze medal match yesterday

ENGLAND FINSH BOTTOM OF POOL D. News from the Junior World Cup in New Delhi.

England’s campaign in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi continued to disappoint after they lost 2-4 to Malaysia today.  England’s goals were scored by Phil Roper and Luke Taylor.

Finishing their Pool D matches in bottom place means that the best England can expect from this tournament is 13^th. They will play Egypt, who finished bottom of Pool A, on Thursday.

DRAMATIC FINALE GIVES ENGLAND BRONZE. News from the final day at the World League Finals in Argentina.

England put behind them the disappointment of defeat at the hands of Australia n Saturday, to win a dramatic victory in the bronze medal match against Argentina at the World League Finals in Tucuman yesterday.

England got off to a dream start, scoring in the fourth minute from what was originally credited as an own goal.  Later review of the video showed that the goal had been scored by Laura Unsworth, her first in international hockey.

It was an England own goal that led to Argentina equalising.  A hard struck cross just before half time was deflected into her own goal by Sally Walton. 

A scoreless second half led to the issue being decided by a shoot out. England’s goalkeeper was again on magnificent form (she was later to win the Goalkeeper of the Tournament Award), and at 2-3 Sally Walton was able to make amends for her early mistake with a shot through the legs of the Argentine goalkeeper to give England a 2-4 win. 

Results from final day:

Final – Netherlands 5 Australia 1
Bronze – Argentina 1 England 1 (England won 2-4 on shoot out)
5^th/6^th place - New Zeland 1 China 0
7^th/8^th place – Korea 4 Germany 7