Hockey: England in good shape for opener at World Cup

England women open their World Cup programme here tomorrow against Ireland. When the teams last met, in Manchester last June, England edged home 2-1. Since then England finished with the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games and bottom of the élite Champions Trophy in Macao.

There is little doubt that the England squad is the best prepared to have left Britain in 47 international matches since June 2001 when their Australian coach Tricia Heberle took charge. Scotland are in the other half of the draw and open their programme against Ukraine.

In Britain, Reading, the men's EH League leaders looking to retain their title, entertain third placed Surbiton at Sonning Lane with question marks over the availability of key strikers. The New Zealand international Ken Robinson and the former England striker Scott Ashdown missed last week's games because of business commitments, while Andy Todd missed out through injury.

In the fourth round of the men's EH Cup tomorrow, the game of the day will be the match between Surrey neighbours, Guildford and Surbiton, with a noon start at Broadwater School. The Cup holders Cannock visit Hounslow for the day's second all-Premier contest against Hampstead and Westminster. The Staffordshire club will be favourites to progress.