Hockey: Pair on comeback trail

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Anna Lawrence and Mandy Smith will take the first steps in their return to international hockey at a training camp in May.

The two missed the series against South Korea this month - at their own request - but are due to return for the forthcoming series against India in June, and the three tests in July against Australia.

Apart from the players who retired after the Olympics, along with Di Weavers and Skippy Hamahona (playing club hockey in Germany) and Moira Senior (still troubled by a knee injury), New Zealand's best should be in action against India and Australia.

National coach Jan Borren has named 19 players - the 16 who played against South Korea plus Smith, Lawrence and Whetu Hamahona, who was injured and not considered - for the May training camp at North Harbour.

The 16 to play India and Australia will be named after the camp.

The matches against India will be played in Whangarei (June 4), North Harbour (June 6), Auckland (June 9) and Hamilton (June 10).

The games against Australia are in Wellington (July 26), North Harbour (July 28) and Hamilton (July 29).

Squad for training camp: Sandy Bennett, Helen Clarke, Leisen Jobe, Anna Lawrence, Meredith Orr, Jaimee Provan, Mandy Smith, Lisa Walton (Auckland), Anne Marie Irving, Penny Munns, Michelle Turner, Carol Ward (Canterbury), Whetu Hamahona, Melody Rowe (Manawatu), Paula Enoka, Lizzy Igasan (North Harbour), Caryn Paewai, Suzie Pearce, Rachel Sutherland (Wellington).