Hockey: Crutchley puts England in semi-final

BOBBY CRUTCHLEY extended his remarkable run of goalscoring by finding the net five times in England's 10-5 win against Russia in their opening game in the European Indoor Nations Cup here yesterday. He was again on target in the opening minute of the second game when England beat the Czech Republic 9-6. England's two victories have assured themselves of a semi- final place.

After the captain Jason Laslett hit a post after 25 seconds Crutchley put England ahead of Russia in the 46th second from their first corner. Phil McGuire scored the first of his three goals a minute later with Crutchley completing his hat-trick, converting two precision passes from Laslett

inside the opening five minutes. Goals from Julian Halls and Nick Thompson and Crutchley's fifth completed the scoring.

Against the Czech Republic, after Crutchley's starter a McGuire hat- trick put England 4-1 ahead only to be pegged back with some sloppy defensive play. The temporary absence of Halls with a facial injury allowed the Czechs to take a grip of the game and go into a 6-4 lead before, with the return of Halls, a late rally, including two goals from Laslett, saw England home.

Germany, the defending champions, earned a 6-2 victory against Austria in the opening game with Andreas Becker giving them the lead in the 16th second. Inside 12 minutes they had extended their lead to six. In their second game the Germans romped to a 10-1 win against France.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 25