After the razzmatazz of the game that preceded it – a match between the host club and Bloemendaal – the meeting of Cannock and Reading was almost an anti-climax, with the loudest voices in the stadium being those of goalkeepers Nick Brothers and James Fair marshalling their respective defences. But it was a match to intrigue any follower of English hockey, even if there was something quite surreal about watching these two top Premiership sides battling it out against a mountainous Spanish backdrop. Both teams were reinforced by the return of their GB players, although the balance there is very much in Reading’s favour, and it was Great Britain’s principal corner striker that was to give Reading the edge. Richard Mantell converted a corner in the 15th minute and to repeated the exercise in the 49th. Cannock looked like getting back into the match, not that they were ever out of it, with Matthew Taylor scoring from a penalty but with time running out the match just slipped out of their grasp.
Today has been an entertaining day of hockey at Club Egara, which started off with a twelve goal battle between the French from St Germain and the Poles from Pocztowiec, which St Germain won 7-5 after having trailed by two goals at half time. This was followed by Waterloo Ducks against the mighty Rotterdam, with the Ducks taking an early lead but finally losing 6-1. Undoubtedly the match of the day was between Club Egara and Bloemendaal. Egara went into the break on 2-0 but the Dutch managed to claw their way back into the match. At 2-2, with seconds left on the clock, Egara scored the decider.
Photos and a further report will appear on this blog in the morning (Sunday).
PETER COLWILL REPORTS FROM SAINT GERMAIN EN LAYE
Slough 1 Kolos Borispol 0.
Slough need only a point from their final Pool match against CD Terrassa to be sure of qualifying for the final of the Women's Eurohockey Cup Winners Cup but they lived dangerously before securing their second tournament win against Kolos Borispol. Jane Smith, who had earlier hit the post, scored the only goal with a smart finish nine minutes before half time following a penetrative run by Louise Bevan after a well timed interception in her own half by Mandy Nicholson had set her goal-wards. Resting a number of senior players for lengthily spells, Slough lost their rhythm in the second half but Borispol, who suffered three second half suspensions, were unable to capitalise on six penalty corners. In the other match in the Pool Glasgow Western had a surprising 2-0 win over CD Terrassa despite conceding 13 penalty corners.
