ENGLAND TOO GOOD FOR JAPAN
ENGLAND women have given themselves a welcome confidence
boost ahead of this year's World Championships, which run
in America from June 23 - July 2.
The national side made a successful defence of their Home
Internationals Tournament crown over the course of four days
at the Monmouth School for Girls, their last major competition
before the World Championships.
Lois Richardson's team, who are tipped to medal in Annapolis
this summer, defeated Scotland (12-3), England B (13-2) and
Wales (11-1) to win the title this year.
"I've been impressed with our progress before the World
Cup, but there's still plenty of areas to work on," Richardson,
the England head coach, said.
"I wasn't that impressed with our performance against
Scotland, but we performed much better against Wales.
"We made too many errors against Scotland but against
Wales we controlled the game and played some solid lacrosse."
England capped off an impressive tournament with a 16-3 victory
over guest Japan, opponents the 2001 World Cup bronze medal-winners
could meet in America.
Sarah Butt, Felicity Hermeson and Emily Garvey led the way
with hat-tricks, while Lucy Lynch (2), Katy Bennett (2), Sophie
Gapper (2) and Alison Smith were also on target as England
cruised to victory having led 8-1 at half-time.
England now have series of intensive training camps before
the World Championships, but have also lined-up scrimmage
games against two top American University sides.
The national side play Chicago-based Loyola on May 31 and
then Cornell, from New York, on June 11, matches Richardson
is confident her team can win.
Full Tournament Results
WOMEN's Home Internationals Tournament (Monmouth School
for Girls): England 16 Japan 3, England B 12 Scotland
9, England 13 England B 2, Wales 9 Scotland 3, England C 7
Japan 19, Wales B 6 Scotland B 4, England B 2 Wales 7, England
12 Scotland 3, England B 3 Japan 12, England 11 Wales 1, Wales
B 0 England B 16, England C 10 Scotland B 5, England C 10
Wales B 10.
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