Hockey: Courageous Slough fall at last hurdle: Britain's men and women enjoy a day of mixed fortunes in the European Club Championship

SLOUGH just failed in their attempt to become the first English club to reach the final of the women's European Club Championship when they were beaten by Amsterdam, the holders, in their final pool match here yesterday. Slough now meet Glasgow Western today for the bronze medal while Amsterdam play Russelsheimer, of Germany, in the final.

Slough fought with great courage and determination before losing 1-0 to a team who have won the European title 12 times out of the 19 occasions it has taken place.

After taking the game to the Dutch in the opening exchanges, they conceded the only goal in the 23rd minute as Else Kodde scored from her side's first penalty corner.

In the second half, Slough put the Dutch defence under sustained pressure which resulted in a series of penalty corners from which Slough had two goals disallowed.

With Mandy Pottow and Ali Burd magnificent in defence, and Sue Knight making a series of brave saves, Slough remained in contention till the end.

Glasgow Western's hopes of making the final for the fifth successive year - they only needed a draw in their last pool game - were dashed with a 2-1 defeat by Russelsheimer, who scored first-half goals from Britta Becker and Denise Klecker.

Glasgow rallied in the second half with Wendy Fraser's right- wing cross providing a 61st- minute goal for Lynn Forsyth.

In the men's competition, a 70th-minute goal from Javier Molina for the Spanish champions, Egara, gave them a 2-1 win over the Dutch side, HDM, who were reduced to nine players following temporary suspensions. In the final Egara meet Uhlenhorst, who beat fellow Germans Durkheimer 2-0 in the final.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 27