Hockey: Mason's heroics help England take bronze

Germany, the world champions, and the Netherlands women won the Astroturf European Nations Cup titles here at the weekend and with their victories automatic qualification, as continental champions, for next year's Olympics in Athens. England's men took the bronze medal but the women, who had promised much but failed at the final hurdle, finished a disappointing fourth.

The men ended their roller-coaster tournament with a courageous 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, the Olympic Champions going on to win a dramatic penalty stroke barrage 6-5. Although they produced a fine all-round team performance, the hero of the day was again goalkeeper Simon Mason.

Against the Netherlands it was Mason, with several fine saves during the game, who ensured the need for a shoot-out. He then made two outstanding saves in the barrage. He was afterwards named goalkeeper of the tournament.

The women, after progressing safely through their pool matches, which included a 5-2 victory against Germany, lost their semi-final on strokes to the host nation, then faced the Germans again for the bronze medal. This time, however, they had no answer to their slick-moving opponents who won 3-1.

ASTROTURF EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP (Barcelona) (Saturday): Men: 3/4th Netherlands 1 England 1 (aet), England won 6-5aps; Final Spain 1 Germany 1aet, Germany won 5-4aps.

Women: 3/4th Germany 3 England 1. Final Netherlands 5 Spain 0.

Clubs: Beeston 4 Cannock 5; Surbiton 3 Teddington 1. Yesterday Cannock 7 Old Loughtonians 2; Southgate 0 Old Georgians 3.

Loughborough Tournament: Loughborough Students 0 Beeston 1; Loughborough Students 0 Reading 0; Beeston 2 Reading 1, Loughborough Students 1 Reading 2; Loughborough Students 1 Beeston 1; Reading 1 Beeston 4.