Howlett wins hockey World Cup gold (From Gazette)

Howlett wins hockey World Cup gold

9:48am Thursday 25th September 2008 in

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Colchester Hockey Club veteran Terry Howlett returned with a gold medal from the Grand Masters World Cup in Hong Kong after defeating Australia 4-1 in the final.

“The statistics of played seven, won six, scored 39 and conceded just three showed how much of a gap we have opened up at International level,” said the 65-year-old, from Dovercourt.

“I’m very proud to have been the oldest member of the squad and been able to compete with players up to five years younger than myself.”

With wins over Italy, Holland, Japan and Australia in the preliminary group stages, England progressed into the super group stage along with Germany, Hong Kong and Australia, with results from the previous rounds being carried forward.

England went into the final, having beaten Hong Kong and Australia, despite losing 1-0 to Germany. The re-match against the Australians was not a forgone conclusion in the final, as the team from Down Under had regained their form to beat Germany 5-3 and turn their tournament round.

England’s professional approach was evident from the start.

However, it was not until the second quarter that they made the breakthrough from a penalty corner with another strike from a penalty corner just after half-time increasing the lead.

Two superb open play goals in the third quarter put the result beyond question and, although Australia managed to pull one back just before the end, they were out-thought in tactics and outplayed in fitness and mobility.

Howlett is now the proud owner of a World Cup silver medal from Germany in 2006 and now gold in Hong Kong, to add to three European golds and one silver.