Australia 2
Chris Ciriello 13 (PC)
Kieran Govers 56 (PC)
Germany 1
Fuchs 60 (F)

Russell Ford reaches 100 caps - image Max Muller puts Russell Ford on the hopThe Kookaburras have ended their European tour on a positive note securing a 2-0 series win against Germany in Mannheim, downing the homeside 2-1.

The Australians defeated the world number two in testing conditions, backing up a 3-0 win in the first test match on Tuesday.

Jamie Dwyer, Luke Doerner and Matt Gohdes were rested for the second test with Chris Ciriello, Glenn Simpson and Russell Ford returning to the fold.

Likewise, Germany made changes with Moritz Furste, Phillip Zeller and Matthias Witthaus not playing.

Hampstead & Westminster 1
Tom Kavanagh 13 (F)
Beeston 2
Stephen Lawrence 28 (PC)
Chris Proctor 67 (F)
Three in a row: HA Cup Winners 2012 - Beeston - Andy Smith

George Pinner pulled off a string of fine saves in the final minutes of the men’s cup final to help Beeston to a 2-1 victory and their third consecutive cup title (we still call it the HA Cup at Push!).

For more images see the gallery.

It was Londoners Hampstead & Westminster who had the first glimpse of goal on six minutes when a shot just went wide. Neither side could really grab hold of the game in the opening ten minutes with both finding it hard to retain possession.

Surbiton 1
Sandra Frankland 24 (F)
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM 4
Liz George 29 (PC)
Tina Evans 56, 70 (PC, PC)
Jenna Woolven 66 (PC)  

First win: Laura Bainbridge lifts the Investec women's cup for University of Birmingham - Andy SmithUniversity of Birmingham lifted the Investec women’s hockey cup for the first time thanks to a 4-1 victory over Surbiton on Sunday.

The opening ten minutes were a scrappy affair with neither team able to get their grip on the game and both sides determined to give nothing away.
It was the University of Birmingham who had the first real opening when Captain Vicky Heptonstall ran in the circle before firing her shot went wide. Surbiton responded well and were unlucky not to take the lead when Sara-Jo Coakley struck a shot just past the post at the other end.

For more images see the gallery.

Matt Daly (left) gets recall to the GB squad after injury - image Andy Smith

The Great Britain men’s hockey squad has been announced ahead of the forthcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia.  The seven team invitational tournament will be Great Britain’s last competition ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Jason Lee’s squad contains two changes to the 18 man group that competed at the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament – the Olympic Test Event – at the beginning of the month.  Captain Barry Middleton is restored alongside Surbiton’s Beijing Olympian Matt Daly, who returns to competitive action after a six month absence through injury.

Gamechanger: Bridgestone World Series HockeyBridgestone World Series Hockey (WSH), played out in India during March and early April 2012, was run on an ambitious model with overseas players, city-based franchises and corporate and TV backing. Organised along the lines of Indian Premier League cricket, WSH was controversial from the start. It was branded as  'unsanctioned' by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) who did not recognise WSH's co-organisers the Indian Hockey Federation. As the dust settles, Deepak Sheth assess the impact of WSH.

Now that a highly successful tournament has been conducted and completed it behoves us to reflect back on how there is a monumental shift in the landscape of hockey that we all love.  Philosophers have remarked it is ordinary people doing extraordinary things that drive the world. All the fans of Indian style hockey, appropriately termed “magic”by coaches the world over, should be thrilled.

The histrionics, the number of goals, the excellent commentary, the flawless execution of a stupendous task, in eight cities, 59 games, wall to wall  primetime TV coverage, including cable channels even in USA, the stoking of parochial interest, as manifested by the throngs of crowds in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, Bangalore, coming out to cheer their hometown team, as also their Indian expatriate brethren overseas, not even taking into account the eyeballs watching on TV, all over India as also Pakistan, Europe, Canada, Australia, US and many other countries, should warm the cockles of the heart of all hockey fans. 

Down but not out: Injury concerns Crista Cullen (on the floor) and Alex Danson (left) should still be available for London 2012 selection - Andy SmithThe latest news on the British athletes injured in the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament – the Olympic Test Event – is below:

Women’s Squad: Alex Danson & Crista Cullen

Alex Danson (shoulder) and Crista Cullen (ankle) sustained injuries in Great Britain’s final match against Argentina on Sunday. Both have undergone scans this week.  They will likely miss the Investec London Cup (5-10 June) but subject to rehabilitation will be available for selection to the Olympic squad. 

Men’s Squad: Simon Mantell, Harry Martin, Richard Smith

Simon Mantell broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during Great Britain’s match against India last Thursday. On Tuesday he had a pin inserted into his foot and he is expected to wear a protective boot for the next six-to-seven weeks.

The world’s oldest hockey club, Blackheath Hockey Club in south-east London, will mark its 150th anniversary by holding a Victorian-themed hockey match on the site of the original club, on Blackheath.

The match, which starts at 2pm on Saturday May 12, 2012, and is free for spectators, will see the Kent and Sussex League club go back in time to play a traditional Victorian hockey match complete with 1861 rules and mixed teams dressed in full Victorian hockey kit, using 1861 equipment.

Gentleman club members will swap their high-tech shorts and modern hockey
shirts for cotton plus fours, button-up shirts, formal jackets, cravats and caps, while the ladies will trade their modern short hockey skirts for full-length heavy cotton versions, high-necked button up blouses and boots.

The men's hockey Champions Trophy will be held for the fifth time in Australia this northern hemisphere winter.

The FIH’s premiere event is returning to Melbourne, December 1-9, 2012 where the Australian Kookaburras will aim to claim a history making 13^th gold.

The top five nations from last year's Champions Trophy (Australia, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany - Great Britain were sixth), the winner of the Champions Challenge (Belgium) and two nations invited to participate by the FIH are expected to compete at the event.