Hockey: England secure gold and bronze

NOT EVEN the torrential rain could spoil England's day at the World Invitational Tournament at Milton Keynes yesterday as the men beat Germany, third in last summer's World Cup, to take the gold medal with the women beating Spain for the bronze.

In a cat and mouse opening session a goal-line save by Jon Wyatt and a block by goalkeeper Simon Mason kept England in the hunt before Russell Garcia, nominated the player of the tournament, put England ahead at their first penalty corner in the 26th minute.

It was not until the Germans were reduced to 10 men after the temporary suspension of Tibor Weissenborn that England's victory looked assured. A spectacular reverse stick shot from Danny Hall found the net in the 60th minute.

Jane Smith, with a golden goal in the 79th minute, gave the women a 2- 1 victory against Spain yesterday in the women's third-place match.

A golden goal, her second goal of the match, from Dillianne van den Boogaard, gave the Netherlands a 4-3 victory over Australia, the Olympic and World Champions, in the final.

Results, Digest, page 9