Hockey: Crutchley's hat-trick is decisive

England 5

Pakistan 3

BOB CRUTCHLEY, the Hounslow striker, doubled his international goal tally in Penang yesterday when he scored a splendid hat- trick in England's 5-3 win against Pakistan, writes Bill Colwill. England face another game against the Asian champions in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tomorrow.

England were off to a fine start in the second minute when Crutchley touched home Julian Halls' precision cross from the right wing. It took Pakistan some 20 minutes before they replied through their captain Muhammad Shahbaz.

John Shaw finished off a good move which started with a Soma Singh aerial to Don Williams, who laid on the final pass to put England back in the lead with Crutchley getting his second from a 31st-minute penalty corner for a 3-1 lead at the interval.

Pakistan came back strongly in the second half, and within nine minutes had levelled the scores, with Shahbaz and Muhammad Shafqat scoring from open play.

Crutchley completed his hat- trick to regain the lead with six minutes remaining. Russell Garcia cemented England's victory when he sank a penalty corner in the 68th minute.

ENGLAND: S Mason (Firebrands); P McGuire (Teddington), J Halls (Old Loughtonians), J Potter (Hounslow), Soma Singh (Southgate), S Nicklin (Teddington), C Mayer (Cannock), R Garcia (Polo Barcelona), J Shaw (Southgate), J Laslett (Teddington, capt), R Crutchley (Hounslow). Substitutes used: D Williams (Havant), N Thompson (Old Loughtonians).