Hockey: Dutch too powerful for improved England

Netherlands Under-21 3 England Under-21 2

England's women fought back after conceding a 16th-minute penalty corner goal against the Dutch yesterday in Rotterdam in the second of their two Test series, but were eventually stifled by a powerful Dutch team who are unbeaten in 16 games this season.

In the first game on Saturday England lost 4-0 after conceding three goals in a disastrous opening 10 minutes. Yesterday it was a much more cohesive England performance. After that early setback they equalised after26 minutes with a penalty corner from Olton's Rachel Walker.

Five minutes after the interval England were in the lead. The captain, Fiona Greenham, converted a penalty stroke after Kerry Moore's shot had been stopped illegally by a Dutch foot on the line. Four minutes later the Dutch were on terms before a 57th-minute penalty corner strike gave them victory. There was still time for England to go for the equaliser with centre-forward Mel Clewlow twice going close in the last couple of minutes.

The coach, Gavin Featherstone, selects his final squad for the Junior World Cup in September in Seoul. Five of his training squad are with England seniors in Zimbabwe preparing for Friday's World Cup qualifier in Harare, but they will be available for the Korea game.

ENGLAND U-21: K Roberts (Blueharts); S Wright (Olton); R Walker (Olton), C Gilbert (Hightown), J Bimson (Olton); L Hunter (Chelmsford), H Richardson (Sherwood), F Greenham (capt) (Loughborough Students); K Moore (Olton), M Clewlow (Canterbury), A Bishop (Hightown). Substitutes used: L Wooding (Chelmsford), N Westcar (Chelmsford), I Palmer (Colwall).