With the Rabobank Hockey World Cup drawing ever closer, the excitement is building every day. Well, for me it is, anyway. The Top of the D has already given you the lowdown on who will be the pivotal figures in England’s quest to capture the trophy in Bobby Crutchley’s Key Three. Who should England be fearful of? Which players will the other countries be looking to for their chance at glory? Find out here.
With England’s Women drawn in a tough pool alongside 2010 World Cup winners Argentina, old rivals and European Champions Germany, dark horses China, an in-form USA and the always tricky South Africans it is fair to say Jason Lee’s side have a tricky passage to the semi finals. Tricky, but not impossible by any means. The Top of the D takes a look at the players that will help push them through the pool stage and onwards in their quest for glory. Continue reading
Bobby Crutchley’s first World Cup as England’s Head Coach has thrown up a real group of death: Australia and Belgium can lay claim to being two of the strongest sides in the competition, whilst India, Malaysia and Spain offer a dangerous unpredictability to go with some extremely gifted individuals. There is no doubt even making the semi-finals will be a tough ask. However with wins in the World League Finals over both Belgium and Australia and some excellent performances during the new coach’s reign so far, there is much to be optimistic about. The Top of the D looks at three of the key players England will rely on to carry them through.
Cannock’s David Beckett held his nerve to fire home the winning penalty in the shootout to give Cannock the cup for the first time since 2007 after a dramatic final against Brooklands MU.The two sides played out a 2-2 draw over the 70 minutes with goals from Beckett and Ben Edge cancelled out by strikes from Peter Cornell and David Flanagan but it was Cannock who took the honours when Aidan Khares put his effort over the bar, allowing Beckett the chance to seal the win, 5-4 on penalties. Continue reading
Nikki Lloyd, the Scotland and Canterbury star has enjoyed a fantastic season at club level, playing a pivotal role in her side finishing top of the league and securing European qualification for next season. She also grabbed a much-coveted place in The Top of the D’s Team of the Season!
Lloyd and her partner in crime, Nikki Kidd missed the domestic playoffs as they were preparing for a big summer of hockey for Scotland, starting with the Champions Challenge I and then the Commonwealth Games. Rather than me writing about the competition, I asked the 27-year-old if she’d be willing to contribute some thoughts to the site instead. So here, without further ado is her version of the win over India. Enjoy! Continue reading
