An on-form England women's side gave the women from France a lesson in hockey in the world-cup qualifiers in Rome this evening. Goals from Rachel Walker, Crista Cullen, Alex Danson, Lucilla Wright, Helen Grant (2), Lisa Wooding, Helen Richardson, and Sally Walton, put England on top of Pool A, ahead of Japan, who are also on 9 points but have a slightly inferior goal difference. The sweet smell of victory was somewhat spoilt by a sixth minute injury to Jenny Bimson. She left the field with a cut above her eye and was later taken to hospital to receive stitches. After the match coach Danny Kerry said "We put together a very thorough abd professional performance, in which we kept pressing until the last minute.
England's next match is on Sunday when they play Scotland, who are currently bottom of the pool. Currently leading Pool B is the USA, with Korea in second place. The top two sides from each pool will qualify for the World Cup in Madrid in September/October, with a fifth place to be played for from the teams who finish 3rd and 4th in their respective pools.
