Combes makes her international debut

A hockey player made her international hockey debut at age level as England played three friendlies in the build-up to the world cup.

Lynn Combes, of Balderton, played in all three of England Over-40s’ games in the Channel Islands. They won two and drew one.

Combes, who plays for Boots Ladies in the English Hockey League Conference North, helped England to a 3-1 win over Guernsey 1sts before a 1-1 draw with Jersey 1sts.

England then played a combined Jersey and Guernsey team and won 1-0 in the final game of the weekend.

The matches were part of Eng–land’s preparation for the world cup, which starts on June 7 in Holland.

Combes said: “It was the first time we had played together as a team because we hadn’t all been together during the trials.

“The standard of hockey was good and there are some areas we can work on. It looks positive for the world cup.”

Combes will attend the final England training camp before the tournament in mid-May.

First, she turns her attention to a crucial game for Boots on Saturday where both her team and Newark Ladies 1sts’ fate will be decided.

If Boots beat Chelmsford by three goals, they will stay in the division — at the same time saving Newark Ladies 1sts, who would not be relegated from the Midlands 2.

Combes said: “I’ve spoken to Sarah Pask [the captain of Newark Ladies 1sts] so I know what’s at stake. We never say never.”