Hockey: England hold world champions

ENGLAND'S World Cup managements will be satisfied with the evening's work at Milton Keynes last night when the women drew 2 -2 with Australia, the world and Olympic champions, and the men overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat New Zealand 5-3.

A late goal from Jane Sixsmith at a penalty corner gave England the draw they deserved for persevering with attacking hockey. After England had taken the lead in the seventh minute through Tina Cullen, Australia dominated the game, winning 12 penalty corners but with no dominant striker in their side and with Carolyn Reid making a series of fine saves, they were limited to two open play goals from Karen Smith and Nicole Mott. Reid capped a fine display with a penalty stroke save from Mott.

Initially England's men were unable to penetrate a hard tackling New Zealand defence and the visitors took the lead in the 14th minute, taking advantage of poor England defending.

Ken Robinson, latching on to Simon Towns through pass, beat David Luckes with a mis-cued shot. Robinson was on hand again in the 29th minute to pick up a rebound off Luckes at New Zealand's second penalty corner for his second.

In the dying minutes of the half England won four penalty corners. Giles made his first appearance of the night, scoring twice to level the score at half-time.

The Kiwis lost their way after the interval, allowing England to score at penalty corners through Jason Lee, Russell Garcia and Giles, who completed his hat-trick. New Zealand's sole response came from Jamie Smith at a penalty stroke.

ENGLAND: D Luckes (East Grinstead); B Garrard (Teddington), J Wyatt (Reading), J Halls (HDM), B Waugh (Southgate, capt); J Wallis (Teddington), J Pidcock (Cannock), N Thompson (Old Loughtonians); B Sharpe (Cannock), R Garcia (HDM), M Pearn (Reading). Substitutes used: C Giles (Southgate), B Garrard (Teddington), D Woods (Southgate), J Lee (Old Loughtonians).

ENGLAND WOMEN : C Reid (Hightown); J Empson (Canterbury), K Brown (Slough), M Clewlow (Canterbury), J Mould (Leicester); K Moore (Olton Terraquest), K Bowden (capt.), J Bimson (Loughborough); M Nicholls (Slough), J Smith (Slough), T Cullen (Hightown). Substitutes used: J Sixsmith (Sutton Coldfield), L Wright (Olton Terrsquest), F Greenham (Olton Terraquest) & P Miller (Leicester).