Hockey: Fulton Olympians begin battle

Week two of the National League will see another influx of international players, several of whom will be Olympians from Athens. Leading the way will be the "Fulton Olympians" from South Africa.

Week two of the National League will see another influx of international players, several of whom will be Olympians from Athens. Leading the way will be the "Fulton Olympians" from South Africa.

Nat Fulton will be joining Chelmsford Ladies for the journey to Manchester where they face League and Cup double-winners Bowdon Hightown in the match-of-the-day. Chelmsford, runners-up last season, and Hightown, both scored four times in useful wins last week and it may be a high scoring contest. Chelmsford will be without Tracey Comber.

Back in Chelmsford, husband Craig Fulton will be starting his sixth season as player-coach of the Essex club and the first in the top division with a 4.30pm game against high-scoring Loughborough Students. Speaking from his Pretoria home during the week, Fulton said: "We've worked hard to get into this division and it's taken some time. The squad is young and with plenty to learn, but I think we have the talent to succeed this year. It won't be easy." It certainly won't against Students who last week put nine past St Albans.

Reading, 3-1 winners against Chelmsford last weekend, will welcome the return of New Zealand's captain in Athens, Simon Towns, to their midfield for their game away to Canterbury tomorrow.