Hockey: Surbiton get better for Cup

Surbiton had the edge over Havant with a 1-0 win yesterday in their English Hockey Association Cup third-round encounter after the two teams, leading the way unbeaten at the top of Division One of the National League, had drawn 2-2 on Saturday.

Pride of place in the round must go to Robinsons, 3-2 winners against National League Chelmsford and Cambridge City who, after drawing 2-2 with National League Blueharts, won the penalty shoot-out 4-1.

At Thames Ditton, Old Cranleighans, who have recently been gathering their old boys and a few others back into the fold, came from behind to beat City of Portsmouth, from the Premier ESL South League, 2-1. A penalty stroke from player-coach David Knapp put them on terms. The former Welsh international then set up Mark Smith for the winner. Portsmouth's opening goal came from Paul Tapp in the second minute before they surrendered the mid field to Old C's internationals Jon Rees and Don Williams.

Stourport were the day's highest scorers with Tom Sherett, scoring four field goals in their 11-2 win over De Montfort University. The Metropolitan policeman Andy Halliday also collected four as St Albans beat Old Georgians 8-1.

Disrupted by frequent substitutions, positional changes, and an injury to their young defender Mel Clewlow just before the interval, England handed the initiative to Korea in the second of their two Tests at Milton Keynes on Saturday.

The Asian champions twice came from behind to win an exciting game 5- 2. After Tina Cullen had given England a sixth-minute lead and Tammy Miller, with an unexpected reverse stick shot, had restored the lead three minutes into the second half, England let the Koreans come at them, conceded the midfield and allowed the Koreans to score three times in the final 10 minutes as England tired and lost their concentration.

A win and a defeat at the hands of the Olympic silver medallists augurs well for England's World Cup preparations but attention must be paid to fitness and concentration.