Club Captain Sian Wins Indoor World Cup Bronze
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Club Captain Sian Craze won a bronze medal with England O40 Women on Monday, when she helped England beat Spain 4-3 in the Indoor World Cup third place playoff in Nottingham.
Sian scored England's third goal as England built up a 4-0 lead at half time, Nicola George opening the scoring in the second minute, Vicky Woolford doubling the lead from the penalty spot two minutes later, Sian scoring from open play in the 19th minute and Victoria Franks converting a penalty corner on the stroke of half time.
England had also led 4-0 when the teams met in the round-robin stage before Spain mounted a stunning comeback to level 4-4 before England snatched a late winner to prevail 5-4, so it was no surprise that Spain battled back in the second half.
Immaculada Lopez Munoz pulled a goal back in the 32nd minute and Spain quickly capitalised on their momentum when Noemi Lopez reduced the deficit to 4-2 in the same minute from a penalty corner. Two minutes later, Noemi Lopez made the score 4-3, but England held on for the win and the medals.
England finished third in the round-robin, beating Australia 6-0, Wales 11-1 with Sian again scoring England's third goal in the 15th minute, before suffering successive defeats against Germany (5-2) and France (6-5) and then recovering their form with the 5-4 thrilling win against Spain.
England met second-placed Germany in the semi-finals and once again were defeated 5-2, while Spain lost 4-0 to France. France then went on to beat Germany 3-2 in the final to claim gold.
More information about the tournament can be found at the Master Altius website here