Hockey: Cullen draws Kiwis' sting

England 2 New Zealand 2

TINA CULLEN gave England a fortunate 2-2 draw against New Zealand, who are preparing for the Champions' Trophy, for which England did not qualify.

New Zealand's Kate Trolove gave New Zealand the lead in the 13th minute after good work by Mandy Smith, and although England improved with the arrival of Karen Brown, it was only good goalkeeping from Carolyn Reid which limited the Kiwis to a 1-0 interval lead.

Jane Sixsmith created England's first equaliser four minutes into the second half. With Cullen tamely shooting from Sixsmith's cross, the New Zealand goalkeeper Helen Clarke managed only to clear to Jane Smith, who slammed in.

With six minutes left and England's defence in disarray, Kylie Foy restored New Zealand's lead. The first of England's final two penalty corners came on the hooter. With Smith's drive on each occasion blocked by Clarke, it was left to Cullen to volley in.

ENGLAND: C Reid (Hightown); F Greenham (Slough); L Newcombe (Clifton Scottish Life), L Catchpole (Ipswich), J Empson (Canterbury); J Smith (Slough), S Chandler (Slough), L King (Ipswich); J Sixsmith (Sutton Coldfield), M Nicholson (Slough), P Miller (Fyffes Leicester). Substitutes used: K Brown (Captain, Slough), K Bowden (Fyffes, Leicester). T Cullen (Hightown), A Bennett (Slough).

NEW ZEALAND: A-M Irving; J Duck; C Paewai, S Bennett, S McGregory; A Lawrence (Capt), R Matthews, S Pearce; M Smith, K Trolove, M Senior. Substitutes used: K Foy, T Mason, H Clarke, D Weavers, M Turner.

Umpires: A Hill (England) and A Alexesi (Australia).