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All the news for Sunday 1 November 2020

2020 FIH Pro League - 1 November

2020 FIH Pro League (Men)

31 Oct 2020    BEL v GBR (RR)    3 - 2   Royal Uccle Sport, Brussels    
1 Nov 2020 16:30 (GMT +1)     BEL v GBR (RR)     -     Royal Uccle Sport, Brussels

2020 FIH Pro League (Women)

31 Oct 2020     BEL v GBR (RR)    1 - 1 (S/O 1 - 3)    Royal Uccle Sport, Brussels
1 Nov 2020 14:00 (GMT +1)       BEL v GBR (RR)     -     Royal Uccle Sport, Brussels

Live streaming and full game replay on the Watch Hockey App (May be Geo blocked if there is TV coverage)

Pool Standings

Men's Pool

Women's Pool

USA v NED (26.01.2020) worth double points because of the match cancelled on 24.01.2020
AUS v GBR (01.02.2020) worth double points because of the match cancelled on 02.02.2020

FIH Match Centre

GB women & Belgium men take FIH Hockey Pro League spoils in Brussels


Image Copyright: Royal Belgian Hockey Federation

Brussels (BEL): Great Britain’s women claimed two points from a possible three while Belgium’s men earned a narrow victory over GB men as the FIH Hockey Pro League continued on Saturday (31 October) in Brussels, Belgium.

The Belgium and Great Britain women’s teams were the first to take to the field at the Royal Uccle Sports Complex, with the visitors deservingly taking a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute before a penalty stroke from Tiphaine Duquesne restored parity just before half time. The Red Panthers were arguably the better team in the third and fourth quarters, but could find no way past GB goalkeeper Sabbie Heesh, who produced a string of excellent saves to seal a draw and trigger a shoot-out for the bonus point.

Heesh continued her fine form in the one-on-ones, being beaten only once to earn a 3-1 shoot-out victory to move sixth placed GB one point clear of seventh placed Belgians in the league standings.

"I think we are probably a little bit disappointed that we came away with a draw”, said GB captain Laura Unsworth. “I think we had a really strong start; we came out really hard and actually we should probably have killed the game in the first quarter as we had some really good chances to make it two or three-nil. It's great that we got the bonus point, which is a step up from the other day when we played the Dutch, but I think that is our overall feeling."

Belgium's Alix Gerniers, who was named Player of the Match, said: "I think we can be happy about the performance. It is a new team, for us it is a new chapter. I think we played well. We tried some new things, and it went quite okay I think."

More information about this match can be found by clicking here.

The men’s match was a clash between the top and bottom placed teams in the FIH Hockey Pro League, although that was certainly not evident as the high-flying Belgians were given a real game by Danny Kerry’s GB. Alexander Hendrickx put the Red Lions ahead with a powerful penalty corner drag-flick in the 27th minute, but GB’s Phil Roper needed just three minutes to restore parity, despatching a penalty corner of his own on the stroke of half time.

A clinical open play finish from Tom Boon re-established Belgium’s lead, but again GB hit back, with Jack Waller netting his first international goal after a neat exchange of passes from Alan Forsyth and James Gall.

The winning goal arrived with less than two minutes of the match remaining, as veteran campaigner John-John Dohmen marked his 396th international with a close-range finish, leaving GB to rue a host of missed penalty corner opportunities throughout the contest.

"I think it was a difficult game”, said Belgium’s Victor Wegnez, who produced another energetic midfield display to be named Player of the Match. “GB studied us really good and they got some easy out in our press and managed to play very well in their press. I think it was a really tough game. At the end we are just happy to win because I think we didn't play at our best."

When asked what the difference was today between the two sides, Great Britain's Tom Sorsby said: "Really small margins, I think. We showed that we can play out there with one of the best teams in the world right now, and those fine details towards the end of the game are the things that are going to turn it. I think we did really well to compete with those guys today, to show that we are at that level. It's just the small margins towards the ends of the games."

More information about this match can be found by clicking here.

The matches were played behind closed doors, with strict COVID-19 protocols being followed by the teams, staff, officials and everyone within the venue.

The FIH Hockey Pro League continues in Brussels on Sunday 1 November, with the national teams of Belgium and Great Britain facing each other for the second time in two days at Royal Uccle.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the Watch.Hockey app, event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

FIH Hockey Pro League
Saturday 31 October 2020 – Brussels (BEL)

Women’s result: Belgium 1, Great Britain 1 [1-3 After shoot-out] (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Alix Gerniers (BEL)
Umpires: Jonas van ‘t Hek (NED), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL) and Laurine Delforge (BEL – video)

Men’s result: Belgium 3, Great Britain 2 (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Victor Wegnez (BEL)
Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Coen van Bunge (NED) and Jonas van ‘t Hek (NED – video)

#FIHProLeague
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Official FIH Pro League Site

Last minute heartbreak for GB men



Great Britain’s men fell to a cruel defeat after John-John Dohmen’s last minute strike saw Belgium take a 3-2 victory in Brussels.

Adam Dixon made his 100th GB appearance in what had been an accomplished performance from Danny Kerry’s side, but it was the world champions who prevailed.

Phil Roper had cancelled out Alexander Hendricxx’s opener before Tom Boon gave the Belgians an early second half lead. Jack Waller recorded his first international goal to level the scores once again at 2-2 but Dohmen’s 59th minute strike gave the hosts the win.



Great Britain recorded a shot on goal within the first minute of the game, Alan Forsyth earning a penalty corner from which Loic van Doren got down quickly to stop Dixon’s drag flick.

A well disciplined start saw Danny Kerry’s side limit the world number one side to few opportunities in what was a solid start to the match.

GB finished the quarter how they started it, this time Luke Taylor’s powerful flick being well stopped on the hooter.

A quick restart saw Great Britain again look threatening in the opposition’s circle with resilient defending halting a promising move.

The hosts continued to demonstrate good control of the ball but they were being well matched by an efficient looking GB side who had enjoyed the better of the chances.

Belgium earned their first penalty corner of the match with less than five minutes of the first-half remaining and made it count, Tom Sorsby unable to keep out Hendricxx’s drag flick.

GB’s continued efforts did eventually come to fruition, Roper striking the ball perfectly into the bottom corner from a late penalty corner to see the teams level at the break.

The reigning world champions showed their class with a stunning goal in the opening minutes of the second half as Boon put his side 2-1 to the good.

Ollie Payne, who was making his second GB appearance after securing his international debut against The Netherlands on Tuesday, was called into action with two saves in quick succession.

GB were still well in the game though. Roper went on a driving solo run but was just unable to connect with the ball on the reverse at the telling moment.

Forsyth and Liam Ansell also came close as Great Britain enjoyed several minutes of intense pressure.

Their persistence was to pay dividends though, James Gall pushing the ball towards goal before Waller’s pivotal touch saw it in for his first international goal to level the game.

That wasn’t to be the end of action in the quarter though, Belgium enjoying a late flurry of shots which was well dealt with by the GB defence to tee up a gripping final quarter.

Payne came up with a massive opening minute save as Felix Denayer was left unmarked on the penalty spot and free to shoot on goal, the young stopper showing excellent reflexes to deny the attempt.

GB responded quickly, Ansell motored up the field and was unfairly brought down just outside the circle as Emmanuel Stockbroekx was shown a yellow card.

Despite being a player light Belgium continued to defend admirably as GB failed to find a way through on four consecutive penalty corners before Forsyth’s rocket on the reverse was well saved.

Belgium made GB pay for failing to put away their chances with a final minute goal courtesy of Dohmen to take victory.
 
Tom Sorsby said after the game: “Really small margins were the difference today. We showed that we can play with one of the best teams in the world right now and I think we did really well to compete with those guys today and show that we’re at that level. It’s just those small margins towards the end of the game.

“Score a few more of those penalty corners and it might be a bit closer come the end of those 60 minutes. We can take a lot of confidence from the game though.

“We’ve got one more game tomorrow before we head home and we’re really excited to be out here playing international hockey so hopefully we can bounce back.”

The teams face off again on Sunday at 15:30 on BT Sport.

Belgium 3 (1)

Hendricxx (27’, PC); Boon (33’, FG); Dohmen (59’, FG)

Great Britain 2 (1)

Roper (30’, PC); Waller (42’, FG)

Starting XI: Forsyth, Martin, Dixon (C), Creed, Payne (GK), Ansell, Waller, Gall, Sorsby, Calnan, Wallace
Subs (Used): Taylor, Shipperley, Roper, Goodfield, Smith, Draper
Subs (Unused): Pinner

Great Britain Hockey media release

GB women take bonus point in Belgium opener



Great Britain’s women’s team picked up two points in their first match of the weekend against Belgium, winning the shootout 3-1 following a 1-1 draw.

An early Sarah Jones goal put GB in the ascendancy after what was an assertive start for Mark Hager’s side.

It was to be a short-lived advantage as Tiphaine Duquesne’s penalty stroke in the final minute of the first-half restored parity.

Nothing could separate the sides in regular time with shootout goals from Lily Owsley, Sarah Robertson and Tess Howard, alongside three superb saves from Sabbie Heesh, proving decisive.



Great Britain looked strong in the opening quarter. A driving run from Ellie Rayer saw her surge past several defenders, but Elena Sotgiu in the Belgium goal was able to deny Jo Hunter’s first-time attempt.

The hosts responded immediately with a chance of their own, Heesh standing tall to prevent the opening score from a penalty corner.

It wasn’t long until the breakthrough was found as Howard’s clever pass found Jones in space, the Welsh midfielder clinically finding the far corner with five minutes left of the quarter.

GB were looking impressive in attack, Robertson flashing the ball across the face of goal but firing it just out of reach of the diving Hunter.

Sotgiu was busy again as she parried the loose ball away with Rayer and Lizzie Neal ready to pounce.

Belgium showed they were still in the game with a late leveller on the cusp of half-time. Following a goal-line scramble, the ball was adjudged to have hit a GB foot, resulting in a penalty stroke which was well tucked away by Duquesne.

Both sides had their chances in a back and forth third quarter. Belgium were unable to make good of a penalty corner before clever link-up play between Susannah Townsend and Laura Unsworth came agonisingly close to a meaningful shot.

Heesh was called into action in the dying minutes of the quarter, making two smart stops with either foot to repel the late pressure.

Belgium were fast out of the blocks heading into the final fifteen minutes, pressurising the GB goal and forcing Heesh to react with another save.

Whilst the momentum had been in the hosts’ favour, Howard’s quick strike requiring a touch from Sotgiu showed the danger GB still possessed.

Chances had come aplenty for both sides but neither able to take advantage as the game concluded at level pegging by the final hooter, leaving a shootout to decide where the points would go.

Heroic work from Heesh to deny three attempts - alongside goals from Owsley, Robertson and Howard - ensured the bonus point would be going to GB.

Laura Unsworth commented after the game: “We’re a bit disappointed to come away with a draw. We came out really hard and had a strong start, we should have probably killed the game in the first quarter after having some really good chances to make it two or three nil.

“It’s great that we got the bonus point in the shootout which is a step up from the other day when we played the Dutch, but we’re a bit disappointed overall.

“I think Belgium got more into the game as it went on and we allowed them to do that. We need to go back, debrief and see how we can change it come tomorrow.”

The sides meet again on Sunday at 13:00 live on BT Sport.

Belgium 1 (1)
Duquesne (30’, PS)

Great Britain 1 (1)
Jones (11’, FG)

GB win shootout 3-1

Starting XI: Unsworth (C), Toman, Townsend, Robertson, Rayer, Howard, Heesh (GK), Owsley, Balsdon, Costello, Crackles
Subs (Used): Jones, Neal, Petter, Hamilton
Subs (Unused): Hunt, Pritchard

Great Britain Hockey media release

Belgium maintain lead atop FIH Pro League with Great Britain win

The men’s team won it late against Great Britain to stay on top while the Belgium women’s team went down in a shootout.

By Rahul Venkat


Belgium maintain lead atop FIH Pro League with Great Britain win

Reigning World and European champions Belgium extended their lead atop the FIH Pro League table by grabbing a 3-2 win against Great Britain at the Royal Uccle Sports Club in Brussels.

After a goalless first quarter in which Great Britain were unable to capitalise on their penalty corner opportunities, Belgium took the lead just before the half-hour mark.

Britain’s Alan Forsyth could not bury a penalty corner and Belgium quickly broke upfield to earn their first penalty corner of the match.

Belgian drag-flick specialist Alexander Hendrickx made no mistake, sweeping a powerful shot past the Britain defence which was deflected onto the roof of the net to give the world champions the lead.


Alexander Hendrickx was crucial for Belgium vs Great Britain in FIH Pro League.

However, it proved to be short-lived. Great Britain responded just three minutes later through Phil Roper, who finally converted their sixth penalty corner of the evening.

It was a frenetic end to the first-half but there was more to come early in the second. Belgian striker Tom Boon displayed exceptional close control to take possession with his back to goal and snapped a shot to restore Belgium’s lead.

The two teams continued to attack each other relentlessly but it was Great Britain who got the important equaliser in the 42nd minute. Young defender Jack Waller was on hand to deflect a cross-field pass home from close range.

Belgium were the better side going forward with Victor Wegnez hitting the post but with a minute to go, veteran John-John Dohmen found himself in the right place at the right time to stab home a ricochet off the post to hand Belgium a narrow win.

Belgium now leads the men’s FIH Pro League with 21 points from nine games while Great Britain sit ninth with just five points in seven games.

The teams face off again on Sunday evening in the second match of the doubleheader.

Great Britain women prevail in shootout

While the men may have lost a close game, it was the opposite result for reigning Olympic champions Great Britain women as they beat Belgium women 3-1 in a shootout after the game had ended 1-1 in normal time.

It was an eventful opening 10 minutes at the Royal Uccle Sports Club, but Great Britain drew first blood. Midfielder Sarah Jones found herself furthest in attack and she put away an expert through ball by Tessa Howard.


Sarah Jones (left) gave Great Britain the lead over Belgium in women's FIH Pro League.

Great Britain led the first quarter, but Belgium attacked better in the second and with a few seconds to go for the half-time whistle, Belgium earned a penalty stroke.

Defender Tiphaine Duquesne duly converted with a low shot to draw Belgium level into half-time. Chances were few and far between in the second half, which forced the game into a shootout.

With a bonus point at stake, Great Britain held their nerves better. Lily Owsley, Sarah Robertson and Tessa Howard scored for Great Britain while only Duquesne responded for Belgium.

Great Britain thus leapfrogged Belgium to fifth place with eight points in seven games while Belgium are sixth with seven points in seven games. They take on each other again on Sunday.

Olympic Channel

Belgium secure late men's win in FIH Pro League but Britain triumph in women's shootout

By Michael Pavitt


Belgium secured a late win in the men's match in Brussels ©Getty Images

Belgium overcame Britain in their International Hockey Federation Pro League match in Brussels after the visitors beat the hosts in a shootout in the women's tie.

Sarah Jones gave Britain the lead in the women's game following a clever pass from Tessa Howard, which gave her a clear shot at goal after 11 minutes at Royal Uccle Sport.

The hosts withstood a spell of British pressure and responded in the second quarter.

Tiphaine Duquesne levelled the scores with a penalty stroke after a goalbound shot had struck the foot of a British player.

Neither side were able to break the deadlock in the final two quarters and a shootout was needed to decide who would earn the bonus point.

Britain won the shootout as Lily Owsley, Tessa Howard and Sarah Robertson all found the net.

Duquesne was the only Belgian to score as Stephanie Vanden Borre, Abi Raye and Louise Versavel missed.

Olympic champions Britain lie fifth in the standings on eight points, with Belgium sixth on seven points.


Britain triumphed in a shootout in the women's match ©Getty Images

The men’s match proved to be another close contest, with Belgium’s Alexander Hendrickx and Britain’s Phil Roper scoring from penalty corners in the 27th and 30th minute, respectively.

Tom Boon restored Belgium’s lead three minutes later.

Britain levelled the scores for the second time when Jack Waller scored in the 42nd minute.

A second shootout of the day loomed until John-John Dohmen struck with two minutes remaining, forcing the ball into the net after Tom Boon’s effort hit the crossbar.

Belgium remain top of the men’s standings after earning 21 points from nine games.

Britain have five points from seven matches, but lie bottom of the standings.

Belgium and Britain are due to play again tomorrow.

Inside the Games

Great Britain men denied by Belgium as women earn extra point


Lilly Owsley was on hand in the shoot-out PIC: England Hockey

Great Britain men were denied a morale-boosting draw as world and European champions Belgium snatched a dramatic 3-2 win with a late goal in rain-drenched Brussels.

Bottom of the Pro League standings, GB put up a spirited performance against the world No.1 and Victor Wegnez-inspired outfit but were left to rue only one conversion from the 10 penalty corner chances presented to them.

Twice GB came back to level, Phil Roper cancelling out an Alexander Hendrickx PC – Belgium guilty of tardiness in getting to their line on time – and Jack Waller scoring his first GB goal following a brilliant Tom Boon hit to beat Ollie Payne.

But as the game ticked towards a shoot-out, John-John Dohmen was on hand with under two minutes remaining to follow up a Boon hit off the bar which left GB nursing a third straight defeat on their European tour.

Meanwhile, captain Laura Unsworth said GB women should have put the game to bed after dominating early passages of their Pro League draw against Belgium earlier.

GB had to be content with a bonus point win over the hosts in Brussels after a 1-1 normal time draw before winning the shoot-out 3-1. Sabbie Heesh’s 60-minute performance doubled over into the shoot-out with three smart saves.



Sarah Jones had given GB the lead thanks to Tess Howard, whose circle vision saw her carve out a deft pass through her legs to leave the Welsh international with space.

There were several chances to double the lead but on the stroke of half-time Belgium were awarded a penalty stroke and Tiphaine Duquesne swept to the backboard.

This match was GB’s for the taking but it was taken to the 23m line where Lily Owsley, Sarah Robertson and Howard all scored, while Heesh, who has been a solid performer this week between the posts, kept out Belgium’s lacklustre efforts.

Unsworth said: “We’re a bit disappointed to come away with a draw. We came out really hard and had a strong start, we should have probably killed the game in the first quarter after having some really good chances to make it two or three nil.

“It’s great that we got the bonus point in the shootout which is a step up from the other day when we played the Dutch, but we’re a bit disappointed overall.”

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The Hockey Paper

Great Britain narrowly beaten by world champions Belgium


John-John Dohmen scored a late winner for Belgium on his 396th international appearance

Great Britain slipped to a late 3-2 defeat against Belgium in their Pro League match in Brussels.

Danny Kerry's side twice came from behind against the world champions, but could not respond to John-John Dohmen's goal with two minutes left.

Earlier on Saturday, the women's GB side drew their match with Belgium 1-1 before winning the shootout.

The draw earned both sides a point, with their 3-1 shootout win earning GB an extra bonus point.

The men's side fell behind on 27 minutes when Alexander Hendrickx's drag-flick deflected into the roof of the net off Tom Sorsby.

Phil Roper equalised for GB just three minutes later to ensure the sides went into half-time level, but Tom Boon put Belgium ahead again shortly after the restart.

Britain equalised for a second time through Jack Waller after some neat interplay by Alan Forsyth and James Gall.

They looked set to secure a hard-earned point and force a shootout before the experienced Dohmen, making his 396th international appearance, forced the ball home from close range after Boon's deflected strike had come off the crossbar.

"We showed that we can play out there with one of the best teams in the world right now, and those fine details towards the end of the game are the things that are going to turn it," said Sorsby.

"I think we did really well to compete with those guys today, to show that we are at that level. It's just the small margins towards the ends of the games."

Meanwhile, Mark Hager's women's side took the lead in the first quarter through Sarah Jones' 11th international goal following a smart pass from Tessa Howard.

Britain missed a number of chances to extend their lead before Belgium levelled right on half-time with a penalty stroke from Tiphaine Duquesne.

"We were probably a bit disappointed to come away with a draw," said Great Britain captain Laura Unsworth.

"We had a really strong start and should have killed the game off in the first quarter as we had some really good chances to make it two or three-nil."

Both the men's and women's side take on Belgium again at the same venue on Sunday.

BBC Sport

AHF postpones Junior Hockey Asia Cup

KARACHI: The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has postponed the Men’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2021 in Dhaka because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 10-team tournament was to be played from January 21 to 30.

It was to serve as the qualifying tournament for next year’s Junior International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Cup.

“We are all still going through difficult times of great uncertainty with the pandemic continuing to have a massive impact on daily life in many countries and restrictions on travel still persisting,” AHF said.

“The Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) as the host of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup Dhaka 2021 has had intense discussions with its national government around some aspects of this, such as the ongoing unavailability of visas and strict quarantine requirements for persons entering the country, and BHF and AHF subsequently discussed the uncertainty around the ability to hold the Junior Asia Cup in an orderly, sensible and fair manner in January,” AHF said.

“Apart from the protection of players’, team staff and officials’ health and welfare being a priority, we also need to consider that the Junior Asia Cup is a top-level event, a Junior World Cup qualifier and a competition featuring athletes who are only one step from playing at the very highest level of our sport, so we must ensure appropriate conditions for the event and minimise the risk of qualified teams and athletes being unable to participate,” it added. The new dates of the regional championship will be announced later.

The News International

Waiting to earn India jersey again: Dipsan Tirkey



BENGALURU:Dipsan Tirkey, a popular name from the India colts team that lifted the FIH Junior Men's World Cup in 2016, has had a rough patch over the past two years.

After his last appearance for the senior team in 2018 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, he has been in and out of the probable list while most of 2019 he had been out of action due to a career-threatening surgery. Now, back in the reckoning, Tirkey wants to make most of the opportunity he has been provided with.

"The last two years have been very challenging for me. While I went back to representing the junior team in a few tournaments, I was mostly out of action in 2019 due to a surgery I required. It took me a while before I could return to full fitness but now that I am given another opportunity to show my potential, I want to make full use of it," stated Tirkey, who was vice captain of the India Colts team that won the World Cup held in Lucknow in 2016.

Having been selected in the senior core probable group again, Tirkey says his focus is now on executing what the chief coach expects of him and also on his drag-flicking.

"After the lockdown, we have begun activities in a slow and steady manner. We are building up our game slowly and the sessions are not very tough yet. It is more like going back to basics and I feel this is the perfect time for me to work on my drag flicking skills and I have been focused on improvising this skill," said Tirkey.

Though the men's hockey team may not travel for any competitions this year due to the prevailing travel restrictions, Tirkey hopes he will earn the India jersey again.

"I am working on giving my 100 per cent in every session. I last played for India at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2018 and I am waiting to earn back the India jersey again. The core group is strong with some very good players and I will have to bring out my best performance to earn a spot again in the India team and I am working towards it with a positive frame of mind," Tirkey said.

The Sentinel, Assam

Fitri shocked but not broken



PETALING JAYA: Shocked and confused Fitri Saari (pic) has promised to get his act together after he was surprisingly dropped from the Malaysian squad.

The 27-year-old midfielder with 170 caps to his name, was not in hockey coach A. Arulselvaraj’s plans when he was one of seven players left out from the 30-player squad.

Fitri said he had a long chat with the coach and has come to terms with the rejection.

“For me, I’m a little shocked. The coach said he doesn’t see much of my hard work and feels that my attitude is not a good example for the younger players, ” said Fitri.

When pressed on what he meant by his attitude, he said: “I guess it is my body language. I’m a quiet person and not imposing. So I guess I have to change my demeanour.

“I guess, I have to be more imposing and allow my hockey to do the talking. I will learn to communicate more with the players.

“I’ll be back. I will give my all in next year’s Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) and prove that I still deserve a spot.

“It’s not that I am not hardworking, but it is my appearance that gives that outlook. I will change that for sure because I want to play for the nation again.”

Meanwhile, Arul said at the moment, Fitri has failed to convince him.

“For now, he is not in my plan. If he shows his capability in the MHL, for sure I will consider him, ” he said.

The Star of Malaysia

ROUND-UP: English Women's Hockey League Round 7

Division One South


WOMEN DIV 1 SOUTH RESULTS OCT 31

Reading strengthened their position at the top of the Women’s Division One South table with a 4-2 victory over second-placed Sevenoaks on Saturday.

The home side led 2-0 at half time with Lizzie Gittens and Fran Clements scoring those goals. Sevenoaks hit back to level through Sophie Crosley and Hannah Bond, but Reading took the points with Jo Ellis and Emma Thomas scoring in the final ten minutes.

Wimbledon Seconds are level on points with Sevenoaks after a 2-1 victory at Harleston Magpies.

Alice Beales had given the Magpies a lead in the 14th minute, but Ruth Hampson and Natalie Wray scored for Wimbledon to take the points.

Goals from Lizzy Totten and Mel Ball helped Slough to a 2-0 victory over Surbiton’s Seconds, while Cambridge City had Maddie Axford to thank for the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win at Trojans.


WOMEN DIV 1 SOUTH TABLE, OCT 31

Division One North


WOMEN DIV 1 NORTH RESULTS OCT 31

Ben Rhydding secured a good away win in Division One North, beating hosts Olton & West Warwickshire 3-1 to record their first victory of the season so far.

Sophie Davies broke the deadlock from a penalty corner after 16 minutes, and their lead was doubled five minutes later with Rachel Doherty scoring from open play.

Just before half time Olton & West Warwicks hit back with Katie Brough scoring from a penalty corner, but there was to be no comeback and Ben Rhydding made sure of the points with Doherty scoring a second field goal on 54 minutes.


WOMEN DIV 1 NORTH TABLE, OCT 31

Conference North


WOMEN CONF NORTH RESULTS OCT 31

A goal in the dying seconds from Charlotte Dennett ensured Alderley Edge took a share of the spoils from a 3-3 draw with Cannock in the Women’s Conference North.

Jodie Beddow and Sarah Martin scored in the first 22 minutes to put Cannock 2-0 ahead, and although Alderley Edge battled back with goals from Sacha Currie-Hateley and Charlotte Dennett Cannock retook the lead through Beddow’s second goal with four minutes left.

However, Dennett’s second goal for Alderley Edge ensured a draw.


WOMEN CONF NORTH TABLE, OCT 31

Conference East


WOMEN CONF EAST RESULTS OCT 31

Sophia Clark scored in the 27th minute as leaders Barnes continued their unbeaten form in the Women’s Conference East with a 1-0 win over Bromley & Beckenham.

The loss saw Bromley & Beckenham drop down the table with second-placed Southgate winning 1-0 over Hampstead & Westminster Seconds thanks to Elisa Filarmonico’s third minute goal.

Two goals each from Katherine Round, Katelynn Roganowicz and Sophie Reynvaan helped East London to a 6-2 win at Canterbury Seconds, while St Albans also recorded a good away win, 5-2 at Horsham.

Bedford won 6-1 at home against Chelmsford with Ellie Scott and Kate Costin both scoring two goals.


WOMEN CONF EAST TABLE, OCT 31

Conference West


WOMEN CONF WEST RESULTS OCT 31

Two goals from Emily Townsend helped Exe secure their fourth draw in five matches, sharing the spoils with Clifton Robinson Seconds after a 2-2 draw in the Conference West.

Sarah-Jayne Thorburn and Holly Savage had scored from open play for the Bristol side’s second string, but Townsend maintained Exe’s unbeaten stretch with two field goals.

Sutton Coldfield remain top of the table after winning 2-1 at Basingstoke.

Ellie-Mae Beeton and Emma McCabe scored their goals, while Kirsty Kent’s last minute strike for the home side was just a consolation.

Elsewhere Oxford Hawks were 6-2 winners at Oxford University with Kate Lowe and Claire Werlinger scoring two goals each, while the university of Birmingham won 2-0 against Cheltenham and Team Bath Buccaneers won 3-2 at Bristol Firebrands.


WOMEN CONF WEST TABLE, OCT 31

England Hockey Board Media release

Grassroots hockey at risk after new lockdown measures in England

By Rod Gilmour


Hockey at risk of being grounded in November PIC: Peter Smith

Grassroots hockey in England is at risk of being shut down for five weeks following the lockdown which will start on Thursday until December 2.

Elite sports will be allowed to continue and it is too early to tell whether GB’s upcoming home Pro League matches against Germany in mid-November will take place in terms of visitors travelling. Other elite sports in England can continue due to the Covid testing in place.

THP understands that England Hockey won’t get clarity from the government for a few days based on previous experience, while an EH statement on Saturday said they are “awaiting the full implications for recreational sport.”

Hockey has been able to start its season since September, but the tiered restrictions in recent weeks has seen regional leagues forced to restructure to more localised fixtures. But the UK government confirmed there would be no exemptions for organised team sports under the five-week national restrictions.

The government also said that leisure centres and gyms will close, as will other indoor and outdoor centres, which will put further pressure on those clubs linked to facilities and those playing at school pitches.

Exercise for unlimited periods outdoors can take place, either with people from own households or one-to-one with one person from another household. It is also not known how lockdown will affect under-18 outdoor school sport.

In Europe, the Dutch and Belgium leagues have been suspended. The English hockey Premier Division is due to resume next weekend, with the GB teams currently playing in Belgium.

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The Hockey Paper

Punjab win Tray Hockey Championship

KARACHI: Punjab won Pakistan's Tray National Hockey Championship, defeating Mari Petroleum in penalty shootout in the final at National Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

The final of the championship was a thrilling encounter, ending in a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time.

Punjab's Ahmer Ali and Arsalan turned the tables scoring one goal each.

In the fourth quarter, Mari Petroleum retaliated forcefully and equalised through forward Murtaza Yaqoob.

The final was decided through penalty shootouts which Punjab won 4-2.

Earlier Pakistan Air Force defeated HEC by 4-2, thus claiming the third position.

CEO of Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Tayyab Ikram gave the trophy to the winning team and handed out rewards amongst successful players.

The News International

Joan Lewis tells her story as part of Black History Month


Joan Lewis

As part of Black History Month and with the help of the Hockey Museum; England Hockey is sharing stories from some significant figures in the sport's history.

Joan Lewis played for England and Great Britain in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and reflected on her time on the international stage.

The first time I played hockey I was very young, I had a friend at the end of the road whose parent was a PE teacher, they always had kit in their garden although I do remember getting hit in the mouth with a stick around age seven and running straight home! By the time of getting to secondary school, my older sister was playing so of course I did too. The school was actually a netball school so we had no hockey pitch on the grounds and had to play at the local boys' school where we had a hut next to the pitch. I couldn't accept netball as a sport where only two players could shoot! I just wanted to be involved, so soon enough my Saturdays were very busy playing hockey for the school, county and club.

All of this was in Chesterfield where we were the only black people for miles, but we got used to it. I think it wasn't until I was aged 16 that I had another black pupil in my class at school. So hockey reflected that, I was the only black player around but I loved the sport so I just got on with it. It was never an issue for me.

I remember reaching a tournament that was known as the Territorials, I didn't actually know it was when the England under 18 squad was being selected! At the end of the tournament I remember names were called out to stand at the front, I was next to Kath Johnson and next thing I knew people were clapping and I realised that I'd been selected. They gave us our kit straight away = although we had to pay for it as there was no sponsorship or lottery funding at the stage - and I remember going home and laying it all out on my bed. I'd had to miss a day's school to play, so my friends were wondering what I'd been up to and then they saw the kit!

When I first trained with the England under 18s, I saw the skills those girls could produce. I knew I was fast and unusual but this was an eye-opener at that stage. It was on Astro and I was only used to grass so I didn't even have the right shoes. But I was allowed to go through the house practicing my skills and using the skirting board in the utility room to practice my reactions. I only had one stick, whereby the other girls were turning up with stick bags and a selection of sticks in there. I'd had my photo in the paper a couple of times though so I wrote off to companies asking for sticks and shoes; Patrick sent me some football boots and I think I got Stuart Surridge and DFV Blue Diamond sticks before eventually Slazenger.

Just before the Seoul Olympics in 1988 I got a letter from Great Britain Hockey asking a few of us young players to join several training camps with the full squad, I was gobsmacked! So I actually met the GB squad before the England squad. The style was very different; England was quite regimented but GB would give you the skeleton and allow you to express yourself within it.

Once I got into the full England squad, the absolute highlight of my international career was when we won the Europeans in 1991. It had been a horrible year, there had been talk of disbanding the senior team and just running the Under 21s. Our coach Sue Slocombe did everything that even professional footballers weren't doing; pilates, vitamins, sports science, you name it. It was still a miracle that we won the tournament, we watched the final ten years later and we weren't sure how we managed it! I just remember crying my eyes out at the end of the match, we were stunned because nobody expected it. I think on the flight home was when I finally felt totally confident in my ability at that level, it was an amazing feeling.


Joan Lewis as part of the England women's team

The only time when I was conscious of a racial insult was at the World Cup in Australia in 1990; myself and teammates got into the lift and some of the German team got in too. One of their players said something but little did they know that my teammate spoke German. She answered them back straight away. To this day I don't know what was said, but all I know is that she defended me and we beat them on the pitch. That was the only time anything happened in hockey; other than that it was what we thought at the time was normal stuff, you might get the N word from a seven-year-old walking down the street in Chesterfield. When the TV programme Roots would come on I dreaded it because you'd get called Kunta Kinte for the month. But in sport I never truly felt it.

Through all of this time I wanted to go to the Olympics but never managed it. Honestly, it still hurts today. I went with the squad to Barcelona about six months before the 1992 games for a training camp; that might actually have been when I made my GB debut. But before the final selection weekend I sliced the top of my cartilage off the bone so I missed the final round of selection. Would I have made the squad? Who knows. So my GB career was short but eventful! I was delighted for my friends to get a bronze medal in the games, lots of them had finished fourth in the previous games so it was a huge thing.

After all that though I realised I needed a job! I'd been working at BT while playing but realised I couldn't do both anymore so eventually qualified as an accountant.

One thing England Hockey did that was very good was the reunion a couple of years ago [at the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup in London] when every female player from all generations got together. I got the chance to speak to Rosie Sykes, I remember seeing her play at Wembley, it was the first time I had seen a black player. I managed to get a picture [below], we had a chat and she asked if there was anything else she could have done but I said not at all - playing was enough!


Rosie Sykes and Joan Lewis

Now I think the way forward is encouraging kids to play, no matter what colour you are. I'm still a bit wounded from when my eldest daughter started to play netball and then told me she doesn't like sport! My youngest is more like me though, but is more into dancing. Most of all team sport is a life skill.

Unfortunately I can't play any more because of my knee, I only recently had the ACL repaired. But I do Body Combat and play table tennis, I hear maybe Walking Hockey would be a good thing but I might be tempted to run!

The Hockey Museum (THM) is the first and only museum of hockey in the world. It aims to preserve, share and celebrate the rich history and heritage of the sport of hockey. For more details visit www.hockeymuseum.net

Great Britain Hockey media release

Hockey image of the month: Adelaide’s flying Tim Lee


Adelaide HC's Tim Lee in action PIC: Bill Purvis

Adelaide Hockey Club photographer Bill Purvis was in the perfect position during the Hockey SA Grand Finals this month to capture this evocative action shot.

The photograph was taken during the recent Metro 1 Men Grand Final game between Adelaide and Seacliff, with the latter taking the trophy.

“Adelaide striker Tim Lee always provides some great action highlights and I think this is his best,” said Bill. “Although saved by the goal keeper for Seacliff it was a great strike.”

Both Adelaide teams lost their Grand finals as Port Adelaide women triumphed 4-2 to be crowned Premier League champions.

Do you have an image to send in we can highlight and promote the sport? Send in your submissions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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The Hockey Paper

Of Jaipal Singh and sparkling Indian Diaspora's contribution to Hockey

 By DILJIT SINGH BAHRA



Why was Jaipal Singh, not living in India at the time, selected to lead India’s Olympic hockey challenge in 1928? What were his credentials that prompted the Indian authorities to look up to him for India’s first ever Olympic gold? Who was the another famous son of India, who would later become President of India and who also played hockey in the same club as that of Jaipal Singh? Historian Dil Bahra has the answers in his portrayal of All India Hockey Club tour of Europe in 1925 – Editor

Indian Students studying at British Universities in England in the 1920s had formed the All India Club for social and sporting activities. Jaipal Singh, student of St John’s College at Oxford, was the Hon Secretary of the All India Hockey Club which operated from Church Imperial Club in Victoria Street, London SW1.

Jaipal Singh played for St John’s College at Oxford from 1922 to 1926, captaining the college hockey team in the 1924-25 season. Jaipal then represented the college football XI the next season.

Jaipal Singh came into prominence when he played for Isis Hockey Club in Oxford after which he was selected to represent Oxford University for the annual Inter-Varsity match against Cambridge. This match was held on February 20, 1924, at Beckenham. Oxford won 3-0 after losing the previous three encounters. He became popular with an outstanding performance in the match.

The varsity match which has been played annually since 1890 was a high profile hockey fixture in the English hockey calendar.


St John’s College hockey team, 1924. Captain Jaipal Singh sitting at centre. Photo: by permission of St John’s College, Oxford Archive Photo I.F.4.

The famous left-back Jaipal Singh, who got his ‘Blue’ in 1924 – awarded only to the starting 11 in those times — became the first player from the subcontinent to be so honoured. S.A. Wahid and Ifthikar Ali Khan Pataudi followed Jaipal Singh. The duo were awarded their hockey Blue in 1930. The ‘Nawab’ was awarded a double Blue in 1931 (hockey and cricket). The Oxford colour is dark blue, Cambridge light.

Jaipal Singh repeated his form the following year too when the Oxford beat Cambridge 3-2 on 18 February, 1925, again at Beckenham, to retain the trophy. Thus, the most well-known Indian hockey player outside India was regarded as one of the best full-backs in England during this period, getting such fame a year ahead of Dhyan Chand’s historic New Zealand tour. Jaipal also played against Cambridge next year in February in the same competition.

In the summer of 1925, Jaipal mooted — and then executed — the idea of a 3-week Continental tour (Dec.17, 925 Jan. 5, 1926). The tour is believed to be the first British hockey club ever to tour Europe. What a pioneering effort by the Indian diaspora!

The club’s team consisted of Indian resident students at various British Universities, the bulk of them coming from Cambridge and London though the team included players from Manchester, Edinburgh and Oxford as well.


Fitzwilliam House Hockey Team 1924 – 25. S.M Yusuf (2nd from left, standing. Photo: by kind permission of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge

The touring team included Shahzada Mohammad Yusuf, from Punjab, a student at Fitzwilliam House, Cambridge University (1923 to 1927). He played hockey for Fitzwilliam House and captained the team in the 1926-27 season. He also played a few matches for Cambridge University. Later Yusuf would represent India at the Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games and win the gold medal.

The team also had another player who would later become a luminary in the Indian political milieu: Former president of India Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad (Pic below). He was graduating at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, at the time of the tour.


St Catharine’s College Hockey Team 1925 – 6. F A Ahmad is 1st left, middle row. Photo: St Catharine’s College, Cambridge.

The squad of 15 left London on December 17th, 1925, from Victoria Station, London and travelled to Brussels, Belgium. They played two matches there and another in Antwerp.

The touring party left Paris on December 21st and arrived in Barcelona on the 22nd. They played matches in Barcelona (El Real Polo Hockey Club de Barcelona), Valencia (El Valencia Hockey Club de Valencia), Bilbao and Madrid (El Athletic Hockey Club de Madrid), the last match being played in the Spanish capital on January 4th, 1926. They returned to London on January 6th after three weeks.

THE ALL INDIA HOCKEY CLUB TEAM (1925) touring team:
Jaipal Singh (St John’s College, Oxford University), captain
J A Fernandes (Bombay)
J S C Daver (Bombay)
M A Beg (N.W.F.)
Vajid Mahmood (Kings College, London University)
Russel Afzal (University College, London University)
C W Little (Madras)
A A Baig (Lahore)
S M Yusuf (Punjab and Fitzwilliam House, Cambridge University)
Nizam Uddin Ahmad (Non-collegiate, London University)
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad (St Catharine’s College, Cambridge University)
J A Admad (Rawalpindi (now in Pak)
S M Sharif (Agra)
P M Reddy (Hyderabad)
Ali Ahmad (Aligarh, ICR College, London University).

In the tour memoirs, Jaipal fondly recollected how enormous crowds welcomed them; on the hosts’ players reaction to umpires and how their rival players were highly athletic and goalkeepers outstanding, despite which his team won all matches.

He went on to add, “The Spaniards are inclined to dispute with the referee too much, all in earnest as well as good blood. There is too much keenness to win. Amidst all this, there is one thing where Spain excels. Never have I seen better goalkeepers anywhere. Every club we played had a most excellent goalkeeper. I may say, without any qualification, that every one of them, i.e., the goalkeepers, would get his English Cap were he here!

“Speed is the feature in Spanish hockey. Flicking is unknown and so are short passes. The Athletic Club at Madrid will compare favourably with a good many London clubs. The Spaniards are most hospitable. They have a real warm heart. The Athletic Club of Madrid are coming to Folkestone for Easter. I am acting as their secretary in England for making various arrangements, and a dinner will be given in their honour, for which I shall be responsible.”

The success perhaps spurred others in England also to form clubs. Hermits Hockey Club, founded in Hilary Term, 1926, as a social and athletic club for Indian student resident at Oxford University, was one such.

The Hermits Club provided winter games for Indian students who, in those months, did little in field sports. In 1926 the club had about 40 players and were able to raise effective playing XIs regularly. The club played mid-week as well. The club got unfailing support from His Highness Jam Sahib of Nawanagar and the Aga Khan. Hermits were a regular fixture at the annual Folkestone Festival.

In Cambridge the “Crocodiles” resembled the Hermits.


Hermits Hockey Club at Folkestone Festival in 1939. Photo: Dil Bahra collection.

The tours paved the way for Indians to demonstrate their flair in Europe and overseas.The pioneering work by the Indian students on this tour laid a firm foundation for Indian hockey itself. This was underscored when Jaipal Singh was selected to lead India at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games). S M Yusuf was also a member of the golden team.

The All India Club continued their annual tours to the continent for many years. In 1930 Nawab of Pataudi Sr., led the club on a tour of Germany. The team left for Hamburg on 18th December, 1930 and played matches against Harvestehude in Hamburg, Uhlenhorst; Hamburg University; Berliner Sport Verein in Berlin; Heidelberg in Heidelberg; Mannheim; Bonn at Bonn against Essen in Essen and against Dusseldorf on 5th January.

The touring team: Nawab of Pataudi Sr.(Capt.), (Oxford); R Narain (Oxford); P C Sen (Oxford); V B Singh (Oxford); F H Masina (Cambridge); H C Badhwa (Cambridge); J S Bedi (Cambridge); M Qizilbash (Cambridge); K S Clihachhi (Cambridge); S Nazeer Ali (London); I S Paintal (London); H B Shahi (London); G B Singh (London); O P Kalsey (Bristol); A H Noon (Bristol) and P N Reddy (Leeds).

Hermits Hockey Club played regularly at the Folkestone international tournament in Easter.

The early tours must have given Indian authorities enough confidence to take up hockey to a global competitive level which turned out to be epoch making in later years. If one were to assess Indian hockey’s glorious history, the pioneering tours cannot be overlooked.

Jai ho Jaipal Singh!

Stick2Hockey.com

An Evening with Hockey Stalwart Munir Pervaiz

By Ijaz Chaudhry



Former hockey international Major (r) Zahid Peerzada has been organising periodical meetings with hockey stalwarts in Lahore.

After a lull because of the Covid 19, an evening with Lt Col (r) Munir Pervaiz was held on Thursday.

Munir Pervez was Pakistan`s first choice goal keeper at the 1973 World Cup.

At the 1972 Olympics, Pakistan lost in the final against the former West Germany.

Pakistani players, not satisfied with the umpiring, misbehaved during the medal ceremony.

The FIH slammed them with the life ban from playing hockey which was later reduced and the players were eligible for the 1974 Asian games.

Hence, Pakistan had to enter a second choice team for the 1973 World Cup.

That side did really well and reached the semifinal where they lost 0-1 to India.

In the 4th place game, they went down to West Germany by the same score.

Goal Keeper Lt Col (r) Munir Pervaz`s individual performance was greatly praised.

Now 75, Munir is living a retired life in Lahore. The evening in his honour was attended by a number of former hockey players. Prominent among them were Dr Tariq Aziz (captain of Pakistan`s gold medal winning team of the 1968 Olympics), Lt Col (r) Saeed Khan (World Cup winner 1978 & Asiad gold medallist 1978)and Zahid Sharif (Olympian 1988).

The participants shared the memories of their playing days. Interesting incidents bothon and off the field were recalled. They also lamented the downfall of Pakistan hockey.

Munir Pervaiz reminisced about the 1973 World Cup, `Pakistan, fielding a second string, were not given much chance to make it to the knock out stage. But we not only qualified for the semis but also topped the pool remaining undefeated. In the best match of the pool, Pakistan came from behind to defeat the hosts Holland 2-1, the eventual champions.

Quite a few new players in that team served Pakistan for a long time. Two of them, Samiullah and Manzoorul Hassan went on to gain legendary status

Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him and his work, visit: www.sportscorrespondent.info

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