7th Grand Masters Hockey World Cup 2014
held at Klein Zwitserland Hockey Club, The Hague, Holland.
Reports of England Great Grand Masters (over 65s)
Day 1, Thursday 5th June 2014
England VGM 2 v Netherlands VGM 0
With this match designated as the annual fixture between the two sides
for the Submariners’ Trophy, England were keen to prevent the Dutch
putting it back in their trophy cupboard.
With England having the better of the early exchanges the Dutch
struggled to make any impression. Attempts to relieve pressure down
the left were snuffed out by George Hazell , and David Wright and Colin
Pearce were able to move up in support of the forwards. A Colin Pearce
strike was met by Keith Hunt at the right hand post but his effort hit the
woodwork. Continuing England pressure brought a succession of penalty
corners and the deadlock was finally broken from the penalty spot, John
Land converting the stroke.
England continued to besiege the Dutch goal but the half time score
remained 1-0.
The second half began with England intent on increasing their advantage but the Dutch survived a further barrage of
penalty corners with some desperate defending.
With five minutes remaining Gerald Wilkinson collected a loose ball in midfield, surged into the circle and rounded
off a great solo run with a fierce drive which gave the goalkeeper no chance.
The 2-0 final score failed to reflect England’s domination of the game but it did ensure three points for the first
match of the campaign and the Submariners’ Trophy being retained.
Day 2, Friday 6th June
– Day off
Day 3, Saturday 7th June 2014
England VGM 8 v Alliance International VGM 0
Starting brightly, England caused early panic in the Alliance circle and the goalkeeper was forced into action.
England thought they had moved into an early lead when John Land got his stick to a ball that ended in the net, but
the unsighted umpire awarded a long corner! However, John Land then opened the England account being first to a
loose ball in front of goal. With the Alliance forwards starved of possession, England swarmed forward and John
Land added a second. As half time approached, England moved into a 3-0 lead when Bill Warrender rounded off a
short corner.
With Keith Hunt and Brian Heelis replacing Laurie Alcock and Colin Pearce, the England forwards continued to make
inroads into the Alliance defence and the score moved to 6-0 as George Hazell opened his account by running in
after injecting a short corner and Bill Warrender added two more to complete his hat trick. Not to be outdone, John
Land added his third of the game and Alan Jackson also got on to the score sheet having had an earlier effort
disallowed.
Day 4, Sunday 8th June 2014
England VGM 0 v Australia VGM 1
With both sides having recorded victories against the Dutch it was important for England to prevent the
Australians scoring in what was always going to be a very close encounter.
Immediately taking the game to Australia, England forced an early penalty corner but David Wright’s first
time strike was deflected away from goal and the danger passed. Both sides now warmed to the task and
neither side was able to dominate the mid field area. As the first half drew to a close, Australia enjoyed a
period of domination but England defended well with Leon Mack and Colin Pinks prominent and Mike
Fripp clearing his lines when required.
A reshuffled England attack began the second half raiding down the Australian left. A couple of good
chances were created and a scoring opportunity arose from a short corner routine but England failed to
capitalise and Australia survived.
With fifteen minutes remaining England paid for missing their chances when Australia broke from midfield
and surged through the centre of the English defence to score.
Desperate to get back into the game, England again pushed forward but the Australian defence were now in
a position to defend their lead and the England forwards, tiring in the heat and humidity, were unable to get
back on level terms.
Next Friday’s return match is now a ‘must win’ game for England if they are to win this inaugural VGM
World Cup.
Day 5, Monday 9th June 2014
Day off
Day 6, Tuesday 10th June 2014
Alliance VGM 0 v England VGM 7
A changed England line-up saw Ed Potter start at right back and Laurie Alcock on the left wing.
Early pressure from England was met with some resolve by the Alliance defenders but England moved
comfortably into the lead after five minutes when Gerald Wilkinson crossed for Laurie Alcock to nip in and
score. Maintaining the pressure, England moved further ahead when David Wright fired home the rebound
from a penalty corner. Keith Hunt added a third, touching a loose ball over the goal line and Gerald
Wilkinson struck home another effort to bring up a half time 4-0 score.
Second half goals followed steadily, Bill Warrender converting a Gerald Wilkinson cross and then Gerald
Wilkinson adding his second of the game from the edge of the ‘D’ after a slick passing movement. John
Land then completed the scoring following a short corner.
Johan Herbert in the Alliance goal deserves a mention, making a number of good saves to keep the England
tally in single figures.
Day 7, Wednesday 11th June 2014
- Day off.
Day 8, Thursday 12th June 2014
NETHERLANDS VGM 0
ENGLAND VGM 5
For the return match against the Dutch, England knew that goals were important in order to cancel out any
Australian goal difference and set up the final game with an opportunity to win gold against Australia.
Reverting to their previous start-up line, England began brightly and threatened the Dutch goal and were awarded
an early penalty corner. George Hazell’s delivery to David Wright drew the defenders and the switch to the right
gave Gerald Wilkinson the opportunity to open the scoring with a typical cross shot.
England consolidated their lead when a repeat of the penalty corner routine gave Gerald Wilkinson the chance to
double his tally. As England pushed forward, the Dutch enjoyed a rare period of superiority and a succession of
penalty corners were unproductive as the English defenders closed down any potential strike.
Switching Colin Pearce to centre half and David Wright to the left restored England’s control of midfield and Bill
Warrender turned provider for Gerald Wilkinson to complete his hat-trick.
Maintaining the pressure England moved 4 goals ahead when a John Land shot from a short corner was deflected
into the net by Bill Warrender who went on to add a fifth when Ed Potter laid the ball in front of goal.
More desperate defending by the Dutch was penalised by a penalty stroke. After a four minute delay for the
goalkeeper to adjust his clothing, John Land’s stroke was saved.
Day 9, Friday 13th June 2014
Australia VGM 2 v England VGM 0
Having scored five goals against the Dutch the previous day, England were now level on goal difference but only a
win in this final game would be good enough to win the World Cup, having lost the first encounter.
With this in mind, England were immediately on the attack and Gerald Wilkinson was only stopped when Australia
conceded a penalty corner. David Wright got his shot away, but it was deflected over the goal and Australia cleared
the danger. England continued to threaten as Keith Hunt and Gilbert Grace on the wings were able to get a supply of
ball to John Land and Gerald Wilkinson but a packed Australian defence survived this period of pressure. Play then
moved to the other end of the field and England were forced to defend as Australia found their way into the England
‘22’ and endeavoured to break the deadlock, being awarded a series of short corners but the English defence
remained solid. As half time approached, the Australians turned up the pressure and were finally rewarded when a
shot from a penalty corner was deflected into goal by the right winger lurking on the post.
Desperate to retrieve the situation, England endeavoured to get their forwards into the game but the passing was
not up to standard and Australia looked comfortable dealing with the situation. England made a tactical change,
moving Colin Pearce to centre half and David Wright to left half, but the Australians were now controlling the
midfield and denying England any quality possession. Struggling to impose any authority, England then conceded a
second goal when a strike from a penalty corner, brushed Mike Fripp’s pad and Colin Pinks had no chance on the left
hand post.
With Australia now in the driving seat, England tried desperately to get back into the game, Colin Pearce, George
Hazell and David Wright all pushing forward. Bill Warrender got his stick to a Colin Pearce drive, but the ball finished
up in the ‘keeper’s clothing and the resultant penalty corner was cleared.
England VGM’s Squad: J Land (Capt.); M Fripp; A Jackson; B Heelis; C Pearce; C Pinks; D Wright; L Mack; E Potter;
G Wilkinson; G Grace; K Hunt; L Alcock; G Hazell; W Warrender:
Manager: B Woolcott. Sports Therapists: J Redding; M Ravell: