Second Grand Masters Hockey European Cup Tournament

Amstelveen 25th - 28th August 2009

Report of England Senior Grand Masters by Bill Warrender

Day 1 - 26th August 2009

England SGM 3  v.  Germany SGM  0 

With Germany the current holders of the European Trophy, England took to the field in determined mood and were quickly into their stride, taking the game to their opponents. Using John Land and Jerry Kort on the wings to good effect and retaining good ball possession, Germany were forced onto the defensive and struggled to put any pattern of play together. With pressure building up, England forced a penalty corner and moved into a deserved lead as David Wright’s slip ball was hammered into the net by George Hazell. As the Germans continued to have difficulty holding the England attack, they suffered a further reverse as a Gerald Wilkinson strike across the goalkeeper increased the England lead. Holding a 2-0 advantage at the break England moved confidently into the 2^nd period continuing to dominate possession and limiting the Germans to sporadic attempts to break out of their own half. Any German threat was snuffed out by the defence with Leon Mack and David Birch prominent. As the game moved towards it’s conclusion, England stamped their authority on the scoreline when a sweeping move up the left was finished off with a rasping shot from Colin Pearce to make the final score 3-0.

Netherlands SGM 0  v.  England SGM 5 

Continuing the pattern of play from the first match, England endeavoured to build patiently from the back, retaining the ball whilst probing for an opening. When the Dutch did get the ball, they were slow to support their front runners and the England defenders were well in control. England’s domination of possession meant a good supply of ball to the attack through John Seear and Colin Pearce and England took an early lead following a penalty corner, George Hazell’s strike beating the goalline defenders. Continuing to play good hockey and frustrating the Dutch in their attempts to get the ball, England doubled the lead when Gerald Wilkinson fired home with a shot from the edge of the circle. Trying to raise their game, Netherlands managed to bring their right wing into action, but again, support was slow and they fell further behind from a penalty corner when John Land slipped a return ball to Keith Montgomery, who steered the ball home.
In confident mood, England opened the second half by moving onto the attack, but were unable to increase their lead. Nevertheless the game was being played in the Dutch half of the field and only stout defending kept England from adding to their tally. Entering the final quarter, the Dutch resistance was finally breached when Bill Warrender scored, firstly from a penalty stroke and then added a fifth when a John Seear cross was threaded through by John Land.

Day 2 - 27th August 2009

Germany SGM  0  v.  England SGM  1 

For the second game against the Germans, England started with their strongest line-up looking for an early breakthrough. Germany countered by using a sweeper and ensuring numbers in defence. Despite having plenty of possession and restricting the Germans to occasional forays upfield, England failed to capitalise on a number of good opportunities by poor finishing or were thwarted by the German ‘keeper making a number of good saves. Despite monopolising possession and territory the half time score was level at 0-0.
Preoccupied with keeping England out, Germany were now playing with a lone striker who was unable to trouble Mike Fripp in the England goal. Once again, increasing the pressure England were awarded a penalty stroke when a defenders foot prevented a goal, but Bill Warrender’s effort failed to beat the ‘keeper. Desperate to obtain the all important win, England finally broke the deadlock when Bill Warrender atoned for his earlier miss, finishing off a move involving John Seear and John Land.

Day 3 - 28th August 2009

England SGM  4  v.  Netherlands SGM  0

With a clean sweep in prospect, England began in confident style and the Netherlands were under early pressure. All attempts by the Dutch to move upfield and develop any pressure of their own was well contained by George Hazell, Leon Mack and Gilbert Grace. Winning an early penalty corner, England took the lead when the ‘keeper failed to clear and Dominic Bann was on hand to open his account. Keeping a good supply of ball to wingers Keith Montgomery and Gerry Kort kept the Dutch defenders fully occupied and they conceded a second goal to another George Hazell shot following a penalty corner. Gerry Kort then took advantage of some more poor defending and finished with a good reverse stick shot to make the half time score 3-0.
Unable to develop any great momentum, Netherlands were soon again defending desperately. Bringing the ball up from midfield, Keith Hedley fed the ball into the ‘D’ and from the ensuing melee, Dominic Bann pounced to make the score 4-0. As both sides tired, more mistakes crept in and Netherlands found themselves in a 2 on 1 situation, but were unable to take advantage and Mike Fripp in the England goal was able to boast a clean sheet at the conclusion of the tournament.

Summary.
Four wins out of four games. Goals for 13; goals against 0.
Throughout their 4 matches there was only one short corner against England and their goalie Mike Fripp touched the ball on less than 4 occasions.

England SGM Squad:
M.Fripp; G. Hazell; L. Mack; J. Seear;D. Wright (Capt.);D. Birch; J. Kort; G. Grace; G. Wilkinson; W. Warrender; J.Land; K. Hedley;
D. Bann; C. Pearce; K. Montgomery:
Team Manager; B. Woolcott.