Nicola satisfied with final effort

The England line-up with Nicola white on the back row (fourth left).

THERE were mixed emotions for Oldham's London Olympic star Nicola White after England’s agonising 3-0 defeat against Australia in the final of the Investec World League semi-final tournament last night.

The Hockeyroos were worthy victors at the University of Westminster Sports Ground in Chiswick, London, but White’s England had earlier performed superbly to reach the coveted final.

England did secure qualification to next summer’s World Cup in The Hague, Holland, thanks to reaching the last four stage, so 25-year-old Leicester forward White definitely wasn’t down-hearted when speaking to the Chronicle after last night's bruising Ashes clash.

She said: “Obviously it was disappointing to lose, but Australia were very clinical and played at the top of their game all week.

“I think there were some tired legs out there for us tonight after such a big game against Argentina yesterday.

“When we look back on the performance of the team as a whole though, over this tournament I think we will all be really pleased with how we’ve played. It’s been great having some of the younger players coming through and I think we have great potential as a squad as we build for the future.

“After a week off we’ll then start building for the European championships in August.”

After safely negotiating their way through a potentially tricky pool which featured Australia, South Africa and Spain, White and her England team-mates then beat Italy on in the quarter-finals of the competition.

That booked the hosts - guided by head coach Jason Lee - a daunting last four task against current World Cup holders and Olympic silver-medallists Argentina on Saturday night, but in front of a packed crowd at Chiswick, England turned in their best performance of the tournament.

Oldham ace White was one of the scorers in a breath-taking 4-2 victory which booked their spot in the eagerly-anticipated final.

Perhaps that was just a game too far, however, as England went down convincingly to the Hockeyroos.

Ashley Nelson, Kellie White and Emily Smith wrapped up a well-deserved tournament triumph for the Aussies.

The European Nations Championships take place next month in Belgium.