DISAPPOINTED with her personal performance, but thrilled with the team result. That was the verdict from Canterbury women’s hockey captain Mel Clewlow after the World Cup in Australia.

England finished fifth, giving them qualification for the 2003 Champions Trophy and securing lottery funding for both the women’s and the men’s teams for the coming year.

Now back home in Canterbury for Christmas with friends, she is able to reflect on the tournament: “Personally I don’t think I played as well as I hoped. I set myself quite high standards and then I am disappointed when I can’t achieve them.

“However, this was never about me, it was always about the team and that was the important thing.”

Clewlow now has to concentrate on indoor for the club and the second half of the season. England will resume training in February before tournaments kick off again next May.