Hockey: Angry Clarke unhappy with silver medal

England 2 South Africa

England took the silver medal in the Robobank Four Nations Trophy in Amstelveen yesterday following their 2-2 draw against South Africa. The Dutch Olympic champions claimed their third victory, taking the title by beating Pakistan 4-0.

In a disappointing performance in their final game, England were for long periods rattled by the physical play of the Springboks and umpiring which gave little protection. Even so, it was poor defending which gave South Africa their goals.

The first came after just two minutes as Mike Cullen, who played last season for Chelmsford, laid on the pass for Craig Fulton to score. Then, with 23 seconds remaining, their captain, Jon Wyatt, incredibly gave the ball away to Greg Nicol to score South Africa's dramatic equaliser.

England's first-half play had lacked direction and, although their game had more edge after the interval, their finishing was poor and a series of chances were squandered. Five minutes after the interval Wyatt lashed the ball into the net at England's first penalty corner after Calum Giles' initial shot had been well saved.

With South Africa reduced to nine men, following crushing tackles on Sharpe and Russell Garcia, Giles eventually put England ahead at a 66th minute penalty corner. England's coach, Dick Clarke, unable to hide his disappointment, said afterwards: "We did not compete in the first half. We gave them two goals and it must be the most disappointing silver medal ever."

ENGLAND: D Luckes (East Grinstead); J Wyatt (Reading, capt); G Fordham (Hounslow), A Humphrey (Cannock), Soma Singh (Southgate); B Sharpe (Cannock), R Garcia (HDM, Neth), B Waugh (Southgate); D Hall (Guildford), B Crutchley (Cannock), J Lee (Old Loughtonians). Substitutes used: C Giles (Laren), P McGuire (Teddington), D Woods (Southgate), J Pidcock (Cannock).

South Africa: B Myburgh; J King; B Michalaro, C Jackson (Capt.), G Fulton; C Fulton, C O'Hagan, M Hallowes; G Clark, M Cullen, G Nicol. Substitutes used: J Rosenberg, D Viney, B Key.

Umpires: F Idenburg (Neth) and Shamid Ali Khan (Pak).