CANNOCK PROMOTED TO DIVISION ONE. News from the Maxinutrition Hockey 5s Championships.

Things may not be too bright outdoors, but Cannock has won the right to play in this season’s Maxinutrition Indoor Championships Division One with a 100% record in this weekend’s Men’s Division Two. They will be joined by Team Bath Buccaneers, who lost by a single goal when the two sides met this afternoon. Despite being one of England’s top clubs for many seasons, Cannock has not strayed into top flight indoor hockey in recent years.

In the Women’s Division Two, Buckingham climb to the First Division after scoring maximum points.  They are joined by Chelmsford, who have been one of England’s best indoor sides in the past. 

Men’s Division Two Final Table: 1. Cannock 15 pts (+20), 2. Team Bath Buccaneers 12 pts (+33), 3. West Herts 9 pts (+6), 4. Preston 6 pts (-5) 5. Chelmsford 3 pts (-23), 6. Cheltenham 0 pts (-31).

Women’s Division Two Final Table: 1. Buckingham 15 pts (+22), 2. Chelmsford 10 pts (+2), 3. Stourport 6pts (-3), 4. Ipswich 5 pts (-3), 5. Gloucester City 4 pts (-4), 6. St Albans 3 pts (-14).

ENGLAND U21s AT THE BOTTOM OF POOL D. Results from the Junior World Cup in New Delhi.

The England 21 men’s side slumped to the bottom of Pool D after a draw against New Zealand in the Hero Junior World Cup in New Delhi this afternoon.

It was the proverbial game of two halves, with England taking a first half lead thanks to goals from James Gall and Luke Taylor. But the Kiwis struck back early in the second half with a penalty corner conversion from Russell Kane, followed by an equaliser from Matt Rees-Gibbs.  Final score 2-2.

In the other Pool D match South Africa were beaten by Malaysia 1-2. 

Pool D table: 1. Malaysia 6 pts (+2), 2. South Africa 2 pts (+0), 3. New Zealand 1 pt (-1), 4. England 1 pt (-1) (NZ are ahead of England on goals scored). 

In other matches of note today, France managed to grab maximum points in Pool B with a 2-3 win over Argentina. They may find the going a little more difficult when they play Australia in their final pool match.  

AYMAR WINS FIH AWARD, BUT ENGLAND PLAYERS ARE SHORTLISTED.

Luciana Aymar has been presented with the FIH Woman Player of the Year Award for the eighth time in her long and distinguished career. She previously won the Award in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 (when she won it jointly with Dutch striker Naomi Van As) and in 2010. 

36 year old Argentine international Aymar is the oldest recipient of the Award.  Although it has been rumoured that she has been about to retire for several years, she was in her nation’s side which reached the last four of the World League, currently being played. 

The Award was presented by FIH Board member Pam Stuper during a special ceremony held at the World League Finals at San Miguel de Tucaman in Argentina.

There was good news for supporters of English hockey. Among the 10 strong shortlist to receive the Award was England and GB international Alex Danson

Also presented was the FIH Woman Talent of the Year Award, formerly known as the Young Player of the Year Award.  This went to 19 year old Dutch forward Maria Verschoor.  England also featured in this Award, with Lily Owsley being shortlisted.

ENGLAND MUST NOW FIGHT FOR BRONZE. Results from yesterday's World League Finals in Argentina.

Evidence of Australia’s recent revival was on show in the semi-finals of the Women’s World League Finals in Argentina yesterday. They won a decisive 0-3 victory over England to book themselves a place in today’s final against The Netherlands.  

England now meet Argentina with a possibility of bringing home a bronze. The hosts lost their semi-final match against the Dutch yesterday after the game finished at 2-2. The Dutch then went on to win the shoot-out. 

Although the England camp may be disappointed at not reaching the finals, the situation has been much worse for the powerful Germans. They will now be playing Korea for the wooden spoon after losing their semi final against China 3-1. 

Yesterday’s results:

5^th/8^th place: New Zealand 1 Korea 1, China 3 Germany 1.
Semi Finals: England 0 Australia 3, Netherlands 2 Argentina 2 (Netherlands win after shoot-out).

ENGLAND'S UNDER 21 MEN OFF TO DISAPPOINTING START. Results from the Junior World Cup in Delhi.

England’s prospects in the Men’s Junior World Cup looked bright when Sheffield Hallam’s David Goodfield scored a 14^th minute goal to give his side the lead in their opening match against South Africa in New Delhi yesterday. But goals from Andrew Manson and Dylan Swanpoel gave the South African’s a 1-2 win which leaves England at the bottom of Pool D.

England were not the only side to be humbled by a lower ranked nation yesterday. Germany were beaten 1-3 by Belgium, whilst Spain lost 3-4 to France.

England meet New Zealand in their next Pool D match on Sunday.

Results from yesterday:

Pool A:  Germany 1 Belgium 3, Pakistan 3 Egypt 2.

Pool B: Australia 5 Argentina 2, Spain 3 France 4.

Pool C: Korea 7 Canada 4, Netherlands 3 India 2.

Pool D: New Zeland 2 Malaysia 3, England 1 South Africa 2.

ENGLAND REACH SEMI FINALS

England secured a semi final place in the World League Finals in Argentina yesterday by beating China 1-0. 

England’s goal came in the 45^th minute after a shot at goal by Susie Gilbert was stopped on the body by a Chinese defender.  The resultant penalty stroke was scored by Georgie Twigg.

England will meet Australia in the semi finals on Saturday. Although ranked below England, and having had a disastrous Olympics in 2012, there are signs of a strong revival by the Australian women and they will be difficult side to beat.

Quarter final scores:

Netherlands 1 New Zealand 0
Australia 1 Germany 1 (Australia win 4-2 after shoot-out)
England 1 China 0
Argentina 3 Korea 1