New England regime puts faith in attack

Hockey

England's first post-Olympic training camp, which ended yesterday at Lilleshall, was described by the England manager, David Whittle, as "a real culture shock."

The new coach, Jon Royce, appointed to take a squad to Karachi in March for an elite, six nations tournament made up of the world champions, Pakistan, the Dutch Olympic champions, Australia, Germany, Korea and England, has concentrated only on attacking formations, a pattern of play foreign to British sides in recent years.

The players have responded well, particularly Bobby Crutchley and Danny Hall, together with a late addition, Teddington's Nick Conway, who until recently was a hockey coach in the United States.

After losing the first of their training games during the week, 3-0 to the National League leaders Cannock, England have had useful wins against Barford Tigers 6-2 and Beeston 6-1. Conway leads the way with five goals. No alternative to the specialist penalty-corner striker Calum Giles has been found and it looks as if the Olympic top-scorer's place for the trip is assured.

Although pleased with the week, Whittle accepted that there was a mountain to climb.

This weekend's domestic scene is virtually limited to the second half of the Midland Counties Indoor championship at Kidderminster where Stourport and Barford Tigers have already reached tomorrow's last four. Harborne and Cannock are likely to complete the line-up.