Hockey: New York on national guard

MIM from Edinburgh will defend their title as the DTZ International Indoor Invitation Tournament gets under way today at Worcester and Kidderminster, where New York, with six players from the US National squad, could provide a stiff test.

The Women's National Indoor League also starts this weekend. Slough, the Premier Division champions, open their campaign tomorrow at Crystal Palace against Leicester and Chelmsford. Slough will be without Karen Brown, who has initially opted out of the Indoor League, and Julia Robertson, who is on holiday. Leicester will also be short. Sarah Blanks, called into the England squad to replace Carol Voss, who has withdrawn, is on holiday and Kirsty Bowden and Purdey Miller have elected not to play.

Hightown open their programme against Doncaster and Olton Terraquest. The North club have recruited Clifton's Denise Marston-Smith for the indoor season and her drag shot at corners will be a powerful weapon in Hightown's armoury.

- Bill Colwill