Every English man and woman in the hall must have bitten their fingernails down to the elbow watching a plucky but nerve-jangling display of hockey by East Grinstead this afternoon. Playing in the European Indoor Clubs' Trophy here in Brussels it took almost an entire half before anyone found the net and to the relief of the large number of travelling supporters the scorer was Scott Ashdown (pictured here with coach Richard Organ). However, it did not take long for their Ukrainian opponents from Kolos Sekvoya to get back into the match. The goal drought resumed in the second half, with both teams menacing their opponents goal, but with five minutes left on the clock it was Ashley Jackson who showed just what a talent he is both indoors and out. It only took seconds for Jackson to put his name of the scoresheet for a second time, when he slipped his marker and pushed the ball under the goalkeeper to make the score 3-1. Darren Cheeseman, who has not always looked at his best playing on the boards, finally found his form and gave East Grinstead a fourth in the dying seconds.Although this is only the B division of this competition, East Grinstead have recorded a considerable achievement in coming second. The winners, Swiss club Lucerne, play regularly indoors and their experience was very much in evidence throughout the three days of this tournament. East Grinstead have not only won silver but gained England promotion to the A division of this competition. They now hand over the baton to Canterbury, who as NIA winners last month qualify to play in Europe. Grinstead manager Matt Jones had one word of advice for Canterbury, "Prepare".
Chelmsford, playing in the women's A division of this competition, managed to avoid relegation for England by beating Campo de Madrid in their final match and finishing 6th.
In the men's EHL this afternoon all the matches went predictably, with Surbiton, Cannock, Loughborough Students and Reading recording victories. East Grinstead did not play by virtue of their European involvement over the weekend. Guildford, Canterbury and Belper are deep in the problem zone and need to pick up some points in what remains of the season.
