In
the Over 75 Division of the 2018 Masters World Cup in Barcelona, England were
effectively in a round robin of three teams, Australia, Holland and England.
Although there were other matches versus Southern Cross and
Alliance, these did not count in the National Competition.
The squad were without the services of Terry Howlett and Peter
Danson going into the Tournament through medical emergency and injury respectively,
but Robyn Carr was added to make a playing squad of just 14
England began the Tournament slowly with a 1-0 loss to Holland.
Finding the Barcelona heat hard to deal with, England looked
lack lustre and conceded in the third quarter, following poor marking in the
circle.
Despite more pressure and two penalty corners in the final 10
minutes, England were unable to find the equaliser.
England looked a different team in the second match when they
played Australia, starting strongly and pressurising the Australian defence.
Cochrane scored early in the second quarter to settle the nerves
and when Jones netted three minutes later, it settled the result and a strong
England team performance.
The second round of fixtures saw England face Australia again,
but on this occasion it was the Aussies who started strongly, upping the pace
and pressurising the England back line. Scoring in the second and third quarter
it now meant that England would face Holland in the final fixture needing a
positive result.
If Holland won, they would take Gold, Australia Silver and
England Bronze, but an England win would see Australia take Gold, England
Silver and Holland Bronze.
Holland started well, winning a penalty corner in the opening
minutes, but it was England, through Stephenson at a penalty corner after ten
minutes, who opened the scoring.
Six minutes later, Cochrane broke into the circle from the right
wing and let fly with an unstoppable shot to make it 2-0
Holland were not about to concede a medal and cut the deficit
back to 2-1 a minute before half time.
A good halftime talk from Coach, Mick Christopher saw a
rejuvenated England increase their lead to 3-1 from George and further to 4-1
from Cochrane.
In the final quarter, Jones netted seven minutes from time to
round off an emphatic England performance and take the Silver Medal.
Going into the Tournament as European Champions following
Glasgow 2017, England maintained their status as number 1 in Europe, but will
need to be fitter,faster and improve stamina to match Australia in 2020.