The Top of the D

There was to be no dream ending to Ireland’s fairytale Hockey Women’s World Cup as the Netherlands cruised to a record eighth title with a stunning 6-0 win. Graham Shaw’s side – the second-lowest ranked in the tournament defied the odds on their way to an unlikely place in the World Cup final. Despite London being turned green for the day and the encouragement of a passionate crowd, six different scorers netted for the Dutch who retained the title they won in 2014. Continue reading →

Giselle Ansley was left “absolutely gutted” as England’s Hockey Women’s World Cup hopes were wrecked by a classy Netherlands side in the quarter-final.

Goals from Lidweij Welten and Laurien Leurink were enough to continue the Oranje’s march towards the semi-finals where they will meet Australia in what is a repeat of the 2014 final.    Continue reading →

“Games like this only come around a few times in a career and even fewer times on home soil in front of 10,000 fans.”

Lily Owsley has fond memories of playing in front of the crowd in London against the Dutch. It was her late equaliser in the EuroHockey Championship final at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre which took the game to a shootout where goalkeeper Maddie Hinch excelled and England took a famous win – and the European title. Continue reading →

England Head Coach Danny Kerry said he was “proud” of his players after England negotiated their way past a stubborn Korea side to set up a Hockey Women’s World Cup quarter final with old foes, the Netherlands. A goal from Sophie Bray and a late strike from Lily Owsley did the damage in front of another packed house in London. Continue reading →

Danny Kerry was a relieved man in the aftermath of England’s first win at the 2018 Hockey Women’s World Cup. The England coach had continued to stress how well his side had played in their opening two games without getting their just rewards but against Ireland he said it “finally went our way.” Continue reading →

“I can’t really ask for much more from them” said Danny Kerry after his England team were held to a 1-1 draw for the second consecutive Hockey Women’s World Cup match. Alex Danson’s goal – her 115^th in international hockey had looked set to give the hosts the win against the USA, but Erin Matson’s backhand strike in the third quarter levelled things up and each side left with a point. Continue reading →

England Head Coach Danny Kerry declared himself “pleased” with his side’s performance as England came from behind to draw 1-1 with India in their opening game of the Hockey Women’s World Cup. Continue reading →

As Hollie Pearne-Webb strode confidently forward to slot in the winner in the shootout in the Olympic Hockey Final in Rio, more than one person working for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) would’ve been looking at their television screen and exclaiming “Wait. She works in my office!” Pearne-Webb, like some sort of superhero leads an amazing double life: Some days she’s a government management accountant, other days she’s a world-class-athlete.   Continue reading →