Hockey: Hill helps to deny Dutch early triumph

IRELAND'S centenary celebrations got off to a splendid start in the Four Nations Trophy in Dublin last night as England drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, the world champions. Rob Hill, Britain's leading goalscorer in the Barcelona Olympics, scored both goals.

David Luckes, the England goalkeeper, smothered the first Dutch threat as Marc Delissen found himself unmarked in the circle at a free hit. At the other end Don Williams provided a half-chance for Simon Nicklin before the Dutch conceded a penalty corner in the seventh minute. Hill, with a low drag shot, gave the goalkeeper, Bart Looije, no chance.

With Williams, Russell, Garcia and Rowan Davies combining well, England took control, and their second goal came in the 14th minute as Hill converted a second penalty corner with an identical shot.

The Dutch fought back in the second half when Taco van den Honert worked his way through England's defence to pull one back. The comeback was completed two minutes from the end as Honert scored his second from an eighth penalty corner.

ENGLAND: D Luckes (East Grinstead); R Hill (Havant), J Halls (Old Loughtonians), R Davies (St Albans), K Takher (Cannock), A Degun (Barford Tigers), R Garcia (Havant), S Nicklin (Slough), D Williams (Havant), J Shaw (Southgate, capt), R Welch (Southgate). Substitute used: J Lee (East Grinstead).

THE NETHERLANDS: B Looije; W Drenth, W van Pelt, E Jazet, D Smolenaars, F J Bovelander, M Delissen (capt), L K Gebbink, F Visschers, T van den Honert, R van Wijk. Substitutes used: P H Geeris, K Pijpers.

Umpires: A Moore (Irl) and J L Gortazar (Sp).