Hockey: England lose with honour

Germany. .1 England. .0

ENGLAND showed some impressive form despite losing 1-0 to the Olympic champions, Germany, in a Four Nations tournament here last night. The only goal came from Germany's solitary penalty corner after 15 minutes. Jan Peter Tewes' powerful drive beat Simon Mason, who otherwise gave a useful performance.

Germany, after opening strongly, were worried by the speed of Chris Mayer down the England right wing, supported by the shrewd passing of Russell Garcia. Although England created a number of half-chances, they never looked like penetrating a German defence in which Tewes and the goalkeeper Christopher Reitz were the pick.

England's best chance came midway through the second half when they were awarded three penalty corners in quick succession. Their drill was not impressive and Germany bounced back on the attack. A couple of minutes later Ulrich Moissl burst through the English defence to slip the ball into the English goal past the advancing Mason. However, Moissl was just outside the circle.

With Jon Potter driving his team forward and lifting the pace of the game, England attacked to the final whistle but were unable to break down the solid German defence.

England's management will have been delighted with the spirit shown by the side and the lively fight back, but they will worry about the defence which at times left far too much for Mason to do. In midfield Kalbir Takher, playing for the last World Cup place, fitted in well and will have done his chances no harm. It might have all been different had England not been denied the services of the injured Jason Laslett and the suspended Don Williams.

In the opening game, the Netherlands, taking advantage of their usual clinical penalty-corner drill, beat Spain 3-2 but the world champions looked far from impressive as Spain rallied after being 2-0 down at the interval.

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

GERMANY: C Reitz; J P Tewes, C Stengler, F Kunz, K Michler, C Mayerhofer, C Blunck (capt), M Green, S Saliger, M Waldhauser, C Bechmann. Substitute used: S Meinhardt.

Umpires: R Lathowers (Neth), X Adell (Sp).

Slough's visit to the champions, Balsam Leicester, is this afternoon's top game in the Women's National League Premier Division. Leicester, who could only draw last week at Bracknell, hope to have Morag Laird back in midfield after a hip injury.