Hockey: Wright's late strike lifts Olton to European final

Lucilla Wright was the toast of Olton and West Warwick last night in Den Bosch, Netherlands, when her goal one minute from time gave her club a 1-1 draw against Kolos Borispol, from Ukraine, which was enough to secure a place in today's final of the European Club Championship against the hosts, Den Bosch. In Brussels, Reading beat the German side, Gladbacher, 3-1 to line up for a final against RC Polo from Barcelona.

Olton, who needed only a draw, struggled against an aggressive, fast-running Ukraine side, losing their pattern and it was no surprise after a goalless first half when Kolos took advantage of weak defensive play to take the lead in the 41st minute. Olton were running out of time and ideas when Wright placed a firm ball past the goalkeeper for the equaliser.

Reading's victory in Brussels was all the more commendable in that they lost their opening game to the Poles from Grunwald, scored 10 in their second against Cork and then never looked back after Simon Towns gave them the lead in the 17th minute.