Royce waits on Simpson return

Jon Royce, the Great Britain women's coach, expressed himself 80 per cent satisfied with his squad's performance following qualification for the Sydney Olympics and their silver medal at Milton Keynes.

Royce was happy with the team's progress in the Olympic qualifying tournament, which ended on Sunday, and in particular with the number of opportunities created, though admitted that finishing was still a problem.

Royce feels that the return of the experienced Scottish striker and Atlanta Olympian Rhona Simpson, currently nursing a broken arm, will go some way to providing the cutting edge missing from Britain's play.

More work will also be needed on penalty corners, with the dismal record during the tournament of just three conversions from 41 awards. "We have to be tougher, get harder," Royce said. The first opportunity will come with two games against Australia in Scotland next month followed by two against Argentina.

* It was confirmed yesterday that Marc Lammers, Spain's coach, will take over that role with the Netherlands women's world champions as successor to Tom van Hek after the Olympics.