Hockey: Way off mark for Army

British Police. . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Army. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

WHEN the Army took the lead after totally dominating the first 15 minutes at St Albans yesterday it seemed they were on course to gain revenge for their 1-0 defeat by the British Police last season.

However the Police quickly regrouped after Simon Hazlitt's goal from a penalty corner and their captain, Andy Halliday, replied to the Army skipper's effort with a brilliant individual goal just before the interval.

With the Army reduced to 10 men after the temporary suspension of Brian Gray for a professional foul, a Police victory looked possible before Hazlitt scored his second penalty-corner goal midway through the second half.

With time running out the Police responded to earn a draw when Paul Norris overlapped down the right and crossed for Tony Puddick to equalise with a confident first- time shot.

The Army still could have won but for Matt Way's failure to convert any one of three good chances.

BRITISH POLICE: J Hartshorn (Devon & Cornwall); S Banford (Strathclyde), J Hatcher (Gloucester), D Sim (Merseyside), A Price (Avon & Somerset), P Norris (West Midland), A Halliday (Met, capt), R Stokes (West Midland), R Cox (RUC), R Healey (Met), T Puddick (Met). Substitutes: D Lees (West Midland), D Mitchell (Met).

ARMY: A Johnstone (REME); S Hazlitt (Inf, capt), B Hemmings (RE), A Chick (REME), B Gray (REME), I Jolly (RA), I Jennings (APTC), W James (Royal Signals), T Wood (Royal Signals), M Way (Inf), M Bale (REME). Substitute used: F Millar (RE).

Umpires: J Patel, N Smith (CSHUA).

Rob Hill, Britain's leading goalscorer in the Barcelona Olympics, has announced his retirement after Sunday's PizzaExpress National League game with Slough. The 28- year-old Havant defender feels unable to devote the necessary time to the game.

The All England Women's Hockey Association yesterday announced their plans to celebrate their centenary next season with the main focus being a televised match in Sheffield on 20-21 May between England and Germany at the Concord Centre.