White’s sights on Games gold

NICOLA White shows off bronze medals won at the World Cup and Champions Trophy events.

HOCKEY: NICOLA White heads to the Commonwealth Games on a mission after suffering World Cup heartbreak in Argentina.

White, a former Oldham Hulme Grammar Schools pupil, was part of the England hockey team which lost on penalty strokes to the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

And despite following it up with a bronze medal play-off victory over rivals Germany, the pain of coming so close to a place in the final is spurring on the ex-Saddleworth Ladies star.

White (22), who joined the rest of the squad in flying out to Delhi last Sunday, said: “It was absolutely gutting to lose in the semi-finals and I felt so sorry for Kate Walsh and Charlotte Craddock, who missed penalties.

“They comforted each other, but it was a case of putting it to one side and concentrating on the Germany game.

“We never used to beat the Germans, but recently we have turned the tables and the record looks a lot better.

“Now we go to the Commonwealth Games keen to put things right.”

England won silver in Manchester in 2002 and took bronze in Melbourne four years later.

After a string of impressive World Cup displays, Danny Kerry’s side go to Delhi as one of the tournament favourites, along with the dominant Australians, who have only once missed out on top spot.

England face Wales in the first group game next Monday.