ATA WAY TO DO IT - ENGLAND WIN FIRST MATCH OF CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE

England have got off to a promising start in the women’s Ata Holdings Champions Challenge in Baku. Playing New Zealand in the Azerbaijan capital this afternoon, it was Canterbury’s Cathy Gilliat-Smith (pictured here playing for her club) who scored the only goal of the match in the 11^th minute, when she deflected a Kate Walsh drag flick into the net. The New Zealanders came back at England strongly and early in the second half it looked as if they were they had equalised, but Caryn Peawi’s attempt was disallowed. This is England’s first win in four meetings against the Blacksticks and they will go into their match against Korea

tomorrow buoyed up by this victory.

Earlier in the day a former Canterbury player, US goalkeeper Amy Tran, had seen plenty of action between the sticks when the USA met Korea and lost 2-0, with goals by Seul Ki Cheon and Hye Lyoung Han. Korea are being tipped as the team to beat in this tournament.

China were due to meet the host nation this afternoon but we have been unable to get the result of that match. We will bring it to you as soon as possible.

Tomorrow (Sunday), England meet Korea, whilst China play the USA and Azerbaijan play New Zealand

Ata Holdings Champions Challenge for women

The Ata Holdings Champions Challenge for women will start this Saturday (9/6/07) in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Taking part are the USA, Korea, New Zealand, China, and the host nation. England play their first match on Saturday afternoon when they meet the very strong side from New Zealand. This blog will carry up to day results from the tournament.

CUMBRIA DEFY THE ODDS by Pat Rowley

Cumbria, playing in the finals of the Women’s County Championship for the first time, upset all the odds to carry off the title at Chelmsford and did so in the grand manner. They needed to win their final game, against Durham, to deny Hertfordshire any chance of winning for the second year running. Cumbria, with a side mostly comprised of players with no National League experience, won 8-0, scoring all eight of their goals in open play. Kath Sherlock who hails from little known club Wigton, scored four of those goals. Her tally from four games in two days was eight. Cumbria’s attack was always dangerous and three of their players, Julie Hope (Sunderland), Vicky Jones (Kendal) and Lisa Potts (Kirkby Stephen) all scored three times in the round robin event. Cumbria had opened the event by defeating Dorset, last year’s runners-up 3-0. In danger of defeat by Hertfordshire, in their second match, they gained a 3-3 draw with a 69^th minute Sherlock goal.

At Sheffield, Cheshire won the men’s Championship for the second time with a sudden death penalties decider against Sussex after a 3-3 draw. David Egerton scored all three of Cheshire’s goals, with Scott Ashdown, Darren Cheesman and Dominic Male getting Sussex’s goals.

HERTS RESCUED BY PREEST by Pat Rowley

Women’s County Champions Hertfordshire so nearly lost their first game in this year’s finals at Chelmsford. A goal down to Durham for over half the game, they were saved by the effervescent Harriet Preest who spun on a sixpence in mid-circle and popped in an equaliser minutes from time. The champions had dominated for most of the first half but Durham, counter-attacking at speed, snatched the lead through Shelly Harrison and thereafter were highly competitive. Dorset, last year’s runners-up, opened with a 2-0 win over Combined Services, Kelly Taylor and Hannah Worth scoring in the second half. But in hot sunshine, Dorset, struggled in their second full length game in the day. They came unstuck against Cumbria who celebrated their first appearance in the finals at the 37 year old championship, with a 3-0 win. Julie Hope, in the Cumbrian attack, was always a threat and scored a well taken goal. Kath Sherlock and captain Vicky Jones (penalty) were Cumbria’s other scorers.

CREFELDER WIN LAST EUROPEAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS by Peter Savage in Bloemendaal

We hate to say we told you so, but the final of the last European Club Championship between Crefelder and Terrassa turned out to be a non-event. Perhaps it was the drizzle but Terrassa seemed to lack the drive and determination that gave them victory against Bloemendaal yesterday and the Germans’ more clinical style carried the day. From where I was sitting I could see Dutch national manager Roelant Oltmans being interviewed for Dutch television about the bronze medal match between Bloemendaal and Reading, and who can blame them for finding something more interesting to talk about than the game on the pitch? The single goal, when it came, was three minutes from time and was scored by Benjamin Wess.

Although, as an English news outlet, our disappointment at Reading’s fourth place is obvious, spare a thought for the Scots from Kelbourne. They played a superb tournament but through a combination of bad luck and poor umpiring decisions managed to find themselves in the 3^rd/4^th place crossover match against unfancied St Germain and lose on penalty strokes. That said, and unlike many European club competitions I have been to in the past, there were no “also rans” in the tournament this year

Meanwhile in Baku, Leicester should be proud of themselves for achieving the best result by an English club in this competition for some years, being beaten in the final by Den Bosch 2-1. Indeed, Den Bosch have held the cup since 1999 and this is the closest anyone has come to knocking them off their perch. The Scots from Bonagrass Grove suffered a similar disappointment to their countryfolk from Kelbourne, losing the 3^rd/4^th crossover match.

Our photographs show the push on Andrew Watts that led to Reading’s penalty stroke in the bronze medal match and action from the final between Crefelder and Terrassa.

BLOEMENDAAL TOO MUCH FOR READING by Peter Savage pitchside in Bloemendall

The fact that Reading held out for an entire half says something about the spirit and resilience of the club, but the fact is that they were playing what is probably the best club side in Europe, if not the world. Yellow cards have been handed out very freely in this tournament and Simon Lanyon’s suspension for breaking down play just before half time carried over long enough into the second half to put Reading on the back foot after the re-start. A penalty corner after five minutes was put away, yet again Christopher Zeller being the scorer. Four minutes later Ronald Brouwer made it two and from that point the Dutch side took complete charge of the match. Zeller scored his second from a penalty corner and Nick Meijer put in his side’s fourth with ten minutes of play remaining. But the Dutch pressure did give the boys from Reading some opportunities on the break, an opportunity which Jonty Clarke was pleased to accept with a fine goal in open play. But Clarke’s goal did not signal a revival for the English side. Brouwer scored his second from open play and host club’s hero Teun de Nooijer made it six for the Dutch, although not until Simon Mantell had converted a penalty stroke for a push in the back on a Reading player. Final score 6-2 to Bloemendaal and the Dutch win the bonze medal.

Photographs and a report from the final will be uploaded to this blog later this evening. Photographs from the tournament will be uploaded to our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk later this week.

DUTCH HAVE FLARES BUT SPANISH HAVE FLAIR by Peter Savage in Bloemendaal

This afternoon’s meeting of Bloemendaal and Atletic Tarrassa would have made a good final, but it wasn’t and one can only hope that the real thing will not be a pale imitation of a match that thrilled from start to finish. The stands were a sea of orange and the match was started by a ring of orange flares being lit around the ground. But if the Spanish were intimidated they did not show it. After having conceded a goal in the opening minutes, scored almost predictably by their German international Christopher Zeller, the Spaniards showed flair and pace to get themselves back into the game five minutes later, the goal scored by Florian Michel. Much to the dismay of the home supporters, Terrassa briefly went ahead when Pere Castello converted a penalty corner, but the Dutch replied with a field goal by Nick Meijer just before the half time hooter. In the second half Terrassa had the lion’s share of the play but it looked increasingly as if Bloemendaal would win the pool by default as the seconds ticked away. With literally seconds of play left that best known of Spanish hockey players, Santi Frexia, slipped the ball passed Jan Stockman in the Dutch goal. The Spanish team went wild as they realised they were in the final against Crefelder tomorrow. The bonze medal match will be between Reading and Bloemendaal, a seemingly unlikely event on at least two counts when play commenced this morning. Although the English boys will have a mountain to climb – and Bloemendaal are still probably the best club side in Europe on their day – they looked ready for the encounter tomorrow afternoon. Looking back on the last three days, Reading have suffered a lack of match practice in the run up to this tournament, but have improved as each day has gone by. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?

READING GRASP STRAW FOR BRONZE by Peter Savage pitchside in Bloemendaal

Planted at the bottom of Pool A this morning, Reading played their get out of gaol card with some effect in their last group match in the European Club Championships here in Bloemendaal this afternoon. It was Reading’s turn to take advantage of playing against a side with ten men after Kelbourne’s Willie Marshall was sent to cool his heals after an overly enthusiastic stick tackle in the 27^th minute. The English side were not slow to capitalise on the one man advantage and two penalty corners in quick succession gave them a 2-0 lead. The scorers were Austin Smith and Richard Mantell. But throughout this tournament Reading have shown a liking for living dangerously, and this match was no exception. Indeed the Scots had put Reading on notice by sinking the ball into the Reading net early in the match, only to see the goal disallowed. Kelbourne came out for the second half obviously keen to claim the bonze medal play-off match which would be the reward for the winner. The early award of a penalty corner gave Niall Stott the goal that looked like it had put Kelbourne back into the match. Indeed, the Scots then spent the better part of the second half parked in the Reading half, although Simon Mantell and Jonty Clarke had opportunities on the break. The penalty corner count against Reading started to climb and it was some superlative goalkeeping by Nick Brothers that kept Reading in the game. For the English supporters it was the longest twenty-five minutes in history – for the Scots the shortest.

Reading have eventually managed to salvage something from this tournament as a result of this 2-1 win. Earlier in the day the Germans from Crefelder had comprehensively beaten the Polish contenders from Poznan 6-2. Crefelder will now meet either Bloemendaal or Terrassa in the final tomorrow. Meanwhile, Reading have a chance to stand on the podium if they can beat whoever is the loser of that match. Whoever it is it will be a tough call.

Our photograph shows Kelbourne goalkeeper Alan Dick beaten by Austin Smith’s penalty corner strike.

European Club Championship Roundup (Day Two)

The host side went out and got the goals they needed to overtake Terrassa’s goal difference in the second Pool B match this afternoon in Bloemendaal. Again it was their German international, Christopher Zeller, who came up with the goods, finding the net five times in their 9-0 victory over French club St Germain. Terrassa notched up three more points and increased their goal difference to +7 by beating Waterloo Ducks 4-2 earlier in the afternoon. The final Pool B match between Bloemendaal and Terrassa tomorrow will effectively be a semi-final. Bloemendaal have the advantage on goal difference, so Terrassa will have to win to qualify for the final. Whilst the odds favour a Bloemendaal win, the performance of the Dutch against the Ducks on Friday was less than convincing, so anything is possible. In Pool A Crefelder lead the table with four points after this morning’s draw against Reading. Theoretically, only Reading no longer remain in the running for a place in the final. The Germans face the Poles tomorrow, who seem to have faded since their victory over Reading on Friday. Nevertheless, in the unlikely event that the Poles win their match against Crefelder, they would have to do so by a margin of at least two goals and then hope that Kelbourne lose against Reading.

Meanwhile, in Baku, Leicester head their pool after the second day of play, having beaten Ritm Grodno 2-0. In second place are Berliner, who could only manage a draw against Ritm on Friday. Den Bosch, who are defending the title, lead the other pool.

KELBOURNE OUTSHINE READING by Peter Savage pitchside in Bloemendaal

British hopes now seem to rest on Scots side Kelbourne after the second day of play in the European Club Championships here in Bloemendaal. Reading, made a brave fist of taking on German champions Crefelder, but in two minutes of madness they found themselves down to nine players and suffered the consequences of giving their opponents a two-man advantage. Reading had taken the lead towards the end of the first half as a result of a penalty corner conversion by Richard Mantell, but six minutes into the second half a German player appear to trip over the stick of Matt Armitage off the ball and Armitage found himself heading for the cooler. If there was some injustice in that decision there could be no issue over the stick tackle that sent Richard Springham to join him. Down to nine men, the Germans swarmed into the Reading 25 until the pressure told and Michael Brembech found the net. Superb distribution by Timor Wess at the back of the German defence would give him my vote as man of the match. A 1-1 draw leaves Reading planted at the bottom of Pool A after Kelbourne had a superb game against Pocztowiec Poznan. Goals from Mark Ralph (2), Ross McPherson, Raymond Wrightson, Kenny Bain, and Jonny Christie, gave them a 6-2 win over the Poles.

Our photograph shows Reading’s Simon Mantell’s shot being saved by Schulte in the Crefelder goal.

Roundup from Day One in Bloemendaal

It is hard to take a team called Waterloo Ducks seriously but the joke was nearly on the host side this afternoon in Bloemendaal. Dutch sides frequently do no more than they have to but Atletic Terrassa had set a goal difference target of +5 earlier in the day by beating St Germain 7-2. Needing goals, they were denied the result they wanted by the Ducks from Belgium through a combination of brilliant goalkeeping and some enterprising play. It was the Dutch side’s German international, Christopher Zeller, whose penalty corner conversion saved Bloemendaal’s blushes in the 59^th minute. Today’s results in Pool B put Terrassa on top on goal difference ahead of Bloemendaal. The two sides are not due to meet until Sunday. Meanwhile Bloemendaal have a chance to up their goal tally when they meet St Germain tomorrow.

In Pool A Pocztowiec Poznan lead the table, ahead of Crefelder on goal difference. Reading are propping up the table, with Scot’s side Kelbourne ahead on goal difference.

Leicester got off to a much better start in the women's version of the tournament in Baku. They played Volga Telecom in the first of their pool matches, winning 3-0.

POLES SHOW CLASS AS READING STUMBLE by Peter Savage pitchside in Bloemendaal

I have seen Reading come back from the dead before but this time it would have needed all the screws on the coffin undone and more digging that even Reading could muster. The standard of hockey in Poland has been in the up for some years, but most of us would probably have placed Pocztowiec Poznan among the also-rans in the European Club Championships here in Bloenmendaal. Things had looked promising for Reading when they took the lead from a penalty stroke in the twenty-third minute. Simon Mantell stepped up and made no mistake. But it only took three minutes for the Poles to show that they were a team not to be easily dismissed when Juszczak converted a penalty corner. It was Reading who were on the receiving end of a penalty stroke award just before the break and teams left the field with the Pole’s having the one goal advantage. Any thought that the Polish lead was down to a fluke were soon dispelled when they struck twice more early in the second half courtesy of Grotowski and Mikula. Reading appeared to be rocked to their foundations but they were soon on the counter attack with England international Jonty Clarke leading the charge. Some over enthusiastic tackling of Clarke (see picture) lead to a penalty corner being awarded, which was converted by Simon Lanyon. Not content with making one mistake, the Poles repeated the mistake and suffered the same penalty, the scorer this time being Richard Mantell. Reading now seemed to have the wind in their sails, but after a few golden moments the Poles recovered and were back on the attack. Gorny scored in open play and then Michniak scored his side’s fifth with five minutes of play left. With seconds left on the clock the frustration all came too much for Simon Mantell, who, following an overly firm tackle after the whistle had been blown, was shown yellow, as was Mikula. Final score 5-3.

On this performance Reading are surely going to struggle in this elite competition. Earlier in the day Scot’s side Kelbourne had shown that they can compete at this level when they took on a Crefelder side packed with German internationals. They took an early lead, but eventually lost the match 2-1 in what was a very creditable performance. Tomorrow Reading will play Crefelder.

BROWN BAKU BOUND by Pat Rowley

Canterbury’s Hayley Brown has forced her way into the England team for the Champions Challenge at Baku in Azerbaijan next month, after winning just one cap. With England on the look-out to strengthen their attack after a poor return at last year’s World Cup, the 19 year old added to her rising reputation with her performances in the Great Britain Super League in which she scored four goals.

This will also be a first major tournament for Leicester forward Hannah Macleod while Anne Panter returns to the big time after four years of injury. England are forced to take a somewhat depleted team to the tournament between the nations ranked 7-12th in the world. Five World Cup players are missing. Becky Herbert and Kerri Williams have exams while Jennie Bimson, Helen Grant and Lucilla Wright are having injury rehabilitation.

England women’s team for Champions Challenge (Baku, 9-17 June).

Goal: B Duggan (Canterbury), K Roberts (Chelmsford),Defenders: C Cullen (Leicester), M Clewlow (Canterbury), A Panter (Leicester), K Walsh (Slough,Capt), S Walton (Bowdon H), L Wooding (Chelmsford), Midfield: J Ellis (Ipswich), C Rogers (Chelsmford), H Richardson (Leicester), R Walker (Olton), Attack: H Brown (Canterbury), A Danson (Slough), J Ellis (Doncaster), C Gilliat-Smith (Canterbury), H Macleod (Leicester), A Scott (Slough). Coach: Danny Kerry. Manager: Kay Hanham.

European Club Championships

Just a reminder to visitors that TalkHockeyRadio will be at the European Club Championships in Bloemendaal (Netherlands) this weekend, where Reading will be playing some of Europe top club sides. In addition to regular updates on this blog (hopefully with photographs), we will be featuring the competition in the June edition of TalkHockeyRadio, available from 7 June

CULLEN'S ABSENCE THREATENS LEICESTER by Pat Rowley

Leicester didn’t need to be reminded how much they will miss the services of their England defender Crista Cullen (pictured) at next week-end’s European Club Championship in Baku (Azerbaijan) but today they were. Crista, who takes university exams next week, turned out for England against her club at Nottingham in a match useful to both teams with important events ahead. She scored twice in a 5-1 England victory over the club champions. Rachel Walker (Olton) also scored a brace for England whose other goal came from Alex Danson.

Reading, who take part in the men’s European Club Championship in Holland next week, completed a double over leading French club Racing Club of Paris. They followed their 5-1 win on Friday evening with a 4-0 victory at Sonning. Ricky Mantell took his tally against Racing to three with a couple and Reading’s other marksmen were Jonty Clarke and Simon Lanyon.

TalkHockeyRadio will be following Reading’s progress in Holland next weekend, with regular reports and photographs on this blog.

SUNDAY'S HOCKEY by Pat Rowley

Australia, after a stuttering start in the Azlan Shah Cup at Ipoh, Malaysia, duly came through to win the first major international tournament of the year, beating surprise finalists Malaysia 3-0. The Olympic champions and World Cup silver medallists were held goalless in the first half by the hosts but then stepped up a gear with open play goals by Eddie Ockenden (2) and Russell Ford. India took the bronze medals, beating Korea 1-0, while Pakistan finished a lowly sixth.

Britain’s top players were given a rest after three weekends of the Great Britain Super League, which left both England and Reading with makeshift teams for the exhibition match at the otherwise well supported National Youth Festival at Nottingham. The match was one-sided and disappointing. England won 6-0 despite Simon Mason coming out of retirement to keep goal for Reading. “Mace” did help the English club champions to restrict England to two goals in the first half. Harry Jawanda, one of England’s newest internationals, took the opportunity to score four of the goals but three of his were virtual tap-in’s and the other a stroke conversion. National League top scorer Gareth Andrew of Peterborough, wearing an England shirt for the first time after his big time debut at the Super League, again fitted in to England’s aggressive style of play. He and Cannock’s Richard Lane scored the other goals.

Reading, preparing for the European Club Championship, hope to field their strongest team against Racing Club of Paris next Friday and Saturday at Sonning. Racing Club of Paris are coached by Jon Copp, the former Reading and Great Britain coach.At Doncaster, champions Nottinghamshire again qualified for County finals week-end by winning their preliminary group. They had to resist a stern challenge from Yorkshire who held them to a 4-4 draw in tier final game.

SATURDAY'S HOCKEY by Pat Rowley

Cannock’s 20-year-old Harry Jawanda, recently capped for the first time, scored four times to help an England team defeat English champions Reading 6-0 in a showpiece match at the National Youth Hockey Festival at Nottingham.

Reading, preparing for the European Club Championship in a fortnight’s time, had to play without their internationals who are on an enforced rest period.

With former England goalkeeper Simon Mason coming out of retirement, Reading did restrict the England team to two goals in the first half but they tired.

Jawanda scored three close range goals and a penalty stroke with Richard Lane and Gareth Andrew adding the other goals.

Lowly ranked Malaysia were surprise finalists in the 16^th Azlan Shah Cup at Ipoh, the first major international tournament of the year. They beat India 2-1 in the semi-finals to give themselves the chance to win their own tournament for the first time. They will face formidable opponents in today’s final. World Cup finalists Australia, Azlan champions four times, defeated Korea 6-2 in their semi-final.

LEOPARDS ARE GB TOP CATS by Pat Rowley

Wessex Leopards won both the men’s and women’s titles in the inaugural Great Britain Super League on the final day at Manchester. In both finals they defeated Saxon Tigers, another of the three English sides in the competition. Leopards’ beat the Tigers 3-1 in the men’s final. Richard Springham who made his international debut last week, scored Leopards’ first goal, Rob Moore the second and Ashley Jackson the third before James Tindall replied for Tigers. Jackson finished as the men's league’s top scorer with seven goals.

In the women’s final, Leopards beat Tigers 4-2. Jenny Hall, Rebecca Herbert, Katie Long and Crista Cullen were Leopards’ scorers. Scotland’s Linda Clement with seven goals finished as women’s top scorer.

LATEST RESULTS AND TABLES FROM GB SUPER LEAGUE

DALY ENDS SCOTS CHALLENGE by Pat Rowley

Surbiton’s Matt Daly scored two goals in the last four minutes to give Saxon Tigers a 6-4 victory over Caledonian Cougars, and ended the challenge of the top Scottish side for a place in today’s men’s final of the Great Britain Super League at Belle Vue, Manchester. The Cougars’ failure to win meant an all-English final between Saxon Tigers and Wessex Leopards. Tigers led 3-1 early in the second half but the Scottish side had rallied to 4-4 with six minutes remaining. Richard Alexander, James Tindall and Andy Cornick (2) scored Tigers other goals; Mark Ralph, Stephen Dick and Kenny Bain (2) for Cougars.

Pennine Pumas, the third English side, prevented an all Scottish 3^rd place match today when Adam Dixon netted twice in the last four minutes to give Pumas a 4-3 win over Scotland’s other side, Highland Jaguars.
Sunday's women’s final will also be between Tigers and Leopards.

Full results and latest tables will be posted to this blog later this evening (Saturday).