Women

Australia A 1 France 0 (1-0 half time)
Goal – Sally O’Toole 8m PC

Australia A (women) failed to produce their best efforts last night, but still managed to come away with a 1-0 win over France’s national side at the Perth Hockey Stadium in the first game of their 4 test series.

After losing three matches to the Australian junior side last week, France were always expected to come out strong against the Australia A side who were made up of the likes of Kate Hollywood, Bianca Greenshields, Stacia Joseph and Alison Bruce.

Rachel Clift (l, Olton & WW) and Jess Wood (Cannock) fight it out (c) Andy SmithMen's England Hockey League leaders East Grinstead dropped four points at home over the weekend, with last-minute goals producing 3-3 draws in both matches at Saint Hill. Meanwhile, second-placed Beeston narrowed the gap on the leaders with a 3-2 win against Hampstead and Westminster at Highfields.

Andy Smith has been busy at national league games. For some brilliant images see our gallery.

The Hockeyroos have proven they are on the right track to rebuilding ahead of the London Olympics, defeating world champions Argentina this morning in the final of the 4 Nations tournament in Mendoza, Argentina.
In dramatic circumstances, the win comes after the Hockeyroos scored with only one minute remaining before full time to level the match and force it to extra time.From there the Hockeyroos, from Jodie Schulz who also scored the goal to level the match, scored again within the first minute of extra time to seal the victory.

Helen Richardson (right) has been chosen as Great Britain Hockey's 2010 BOA Athlete of the Year.
The award is presented to the British athlete deemed to have been the top performing athlete of year and is selected by Great Britain Hockey on behalf of the British Olympic Association. Richardson has been recognised for delivering exceptional performances on the field of play in 2010 and for demonstrating the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect.
29-year-old Richardson has been one of a number of stand-out performers for both Great Britain and England this year. After playing for Great Britain in a series of test matches against hockey giants Australia, Germany and China, Richardson played a pivotal role in helping the England Hockey women to an unprecedented summer of success that culminated in three bronze medals.

The Big Chill hit England Hockey League premier division fixtures this weekend with only one women's fixture played on Saturday and the entire Sunday men's programme cancelled.
On Saturday Reading women produced their second league win in a row with a 6-2 home win over Cannock.