Hockey: Surbiton face tough task in Spain

They do not come much harder than Surbiton's opponents in the men's European Cup-Winners' Cup, starting here today. Surbiton open their programme this morning against the hosts Club Egara, bronze medallist last season and currently top of the Spanish League. Tomorrow, however, they should gain a comfortable victory against St-Germain from France. On Sunday Surbiton face the reigning European Champions, An der Alster, from Hamburg.

Amsterdam, currently the runaway Dutch champions, with England's David Mathews as their leading goal scorer, start odds-on favourites to win through to Monday's final from the other half of the draw.

In the women's competition in Rotterdam, a place in Monday's final is certainly within Slough's grasp. Much will depend on the fitness of the English internationals Jane Smith and Mandy Nicholson, who along with Sam Archer missed last weekend's Cup final against Canterbury. Slough face Vilnius from Lithuania in their opening game.

England's women, minus their strong Slough contingent, will this weekend play three Test matches against Wales in Cardiff at the start of their build-up for September's European Nations Cup in Barcelona. Tricia Heberle has taken the opportunity to give caps to two newcomers – Woking's goalkeeper Beckie Duggan and Olton's Vanessa Hawkins. There is also a recall for Imogen Robertson, who has featured strongly during the winter with the Amsterdam club.

ENGLAND WOMEN'S SQUAD: M Clewlow, F Houslop (both Canterbury), S Farmer (Trojans), B Duggan (Woking), J Ellis (Ipswich), C Gilliat-Smith, A Panter, J Bimson (all Fyffes Leicester), V Hawkins, K Moore, R Walker, R Walsh (all Olton), I Palmer (Clifton), C Reid (Hightown), I Robertson (Amsterdam), L Wooding (Chelmsford).