Hockey: Dutch stop Cannock

CANNOCK'S HOPES in the European Club Championship took a bit of a dip in the Spanish sun in Terrassa yesterday when they were beaten 2- 0 by the Dutch champions, Den Bosch, on the first day. The turning point of a thrilling game came 13 minutes into the second half when a harsh penalty decision gave Piet Geeris the first of his two goals.

After a goalless first half in which Cannock's defence held firm, with Julian Halls and Paul Edwards outstanding, it was a clumsy tackle by Welsh international Edwards on Geeris which gave the Dutch the opening they had striven for but seldom looked likely to achieve.

As Cannock pressed forward for the equaliser, holes began to appear in their defence and it was no surprise when Geeris slipped in for his second in the 61st minute, beating Jimi Lewis from the edge of the circle.

Cannock missed chances in the first half and failed to bring a save out of the Dutch goalkeeper Roland Jansen from three penalty corners in the first three minutes. Bobby Crutchley also missed a good opportunity from an Andy Humphrey pass on the quarter hour.

Cannock's coach, Keith Sorrell, was disappointed with the result but delighted with the display. "We played well without luck running our way," he said.