Hockey: England secure place in World Cup

England and China claimed the last two places in next year's Women's World Cup as a result of their victories in the qualifying tournament here yesterday. England overcame Russia 2-1 and China, now England's opponents tomorrow for fifth place, beat Ireland 3-0.

England started brightly, forcing three early penalty corners. Then, in the 15th minute, Jane Smith's powerful drive at another penalty corner was stopped illegally. Denise Marston-Smith beat the Russian goalkeeper comprehensively from the resulting penalty stroke.

Russia's few first-half attacks had been dealt with confidently, but the picture changed after the interval. However, Tina Cullen increased England's lead in the 58th minute. Within two minutes, Vasioukova had pulled a goal back, and England needed several timely saves from Hilary Rose to hold on to the victory.

ENGLAND: H Rose (Univ of Mass); J Empson (Canterbury), K Brown (Slough); K Bowden (Leicester), L Copeland (Slough), L Wright (Olton); M Davies (Sutton Coldfield, capt), M Nicholls (Slough), J Sixsmith (Sutton Coldfield), T Cullen (Hightown), J Smith (Slough). Substitutes used: P Miller (Leicester), D Marston-Smith (Clifton), C Voss (Leicester).

Russia: E Kondrootskaia; I Sviridova; O Nikoleva, N Tchegourdaeva, T Timonina; A Davydtcheva, T Vasioukova, I Piskounova, O Ouchkova; M Tchegourdaeva, E Polovkova. Substitutes used: O Lexina, N Kovalevan.

Umpires: N Kato (Japan), M van Gemert (Neth).