IT WAS a case of close and yet so far for Great Britain ladies as they fell just short of glory in the Champions Trophy tournament in Argentina.

With former Canterbury head coach Danny Kerry overseeing operations, and EuroCanterbury players Natalie Seymour and Abi Walker in the squad, the GB girls gave a fabulous account of themselves as they battled through to the final, where they came up against host nation, world champions and tournament favourites Argentina.

Earlier in the competition Kerry's side had finished second in Pool A behind the Netherlands.

The pool games had seen them win 3-0 against Japan and 3-1 against China.

The game against old rivals Netherlands, meanwhile, had ended in a 2-2 draw.

Great Britain pulled out all the stops in their quarter final against Korea, goals from Georgie Twigg, Alex Danson, with two, and Helen Richardson helping to secure a 4-1 win.

Germany were team GB's semi final opponents, penalty corners from Sarah Thomas and Ashleigh Ball booking a date with Argentina.

Although a few weeks back Great Britain had beaten Argentina 2-0 in a pre-tournament warm-up, the final itself was a closer affair, the only goal coming after 29 minutes when Silvina D'Elia scored from a penalty corner for the host nation.

GB's best effort came when a penalty corner flick from Leicester's Crista Cullen was cleared off the line.

By and large, however, this was a match dominated by the two defences, team GB grateful to Reading goalkeeper Beth Storry, who made a number of important saves.

Although disappointed to fall at the final hurdle, head coach Kerry was delighted with his side's performance.

"I thought Argentina played very well," he said.

"They defended well, they didn't create too many opportunities and their defence held out.

"We started to get back into it in the second half but it wasn't to be.

"We won four, drew one and lost one in a major world level tournament.

"We've made history tonight winning the silver medal."

Team captain Kate Walsh said: "I am proud of the team tonight.

"We're devastated not to have won. Argentina took their chance well but all in all it's a disappointment.

"But it will fuel us on our way to London."

Next up for Great Britain ladies is the Olympic Test event, between May 2-6, which will be followed by the Investic London Cup, which takes place in London from June 5-10.

Then come the Olympics themselves.

"We have set ourselves high standards and I have to match the standards that the players have set themselves," added Kerry.

"That is the pressure I feel going into the Olympics."

THE weekend was almost a complete whiteout as the local hockey programme was decimated by the weather.

The only Canterbury side to play were the men's fifths who showed commendable grit, and not a little enthusiasm, to not only make the journey to Beckenham but return with their best win of the season, an impressive 7-2 victory.

None of Herne Bay's sides were able to play, but men's thirds were given a walkover against Wellcome, who were unable to raise a side.

The 5-0 'win', and accompanying three points, takes Andy Kerly's side top of Kent Premier B, two points clear of the chasing pack.

Men's fixtures for Saturday: Harleston Magpies v Canterbury (Sunday); Bromley & Beckenham II v Canterbury II; Folkestone v Herne Bay; Herne Bay II v Gravesham (2.30pm); Herne Bay IV v Old Bordenians VI (11.30am).

Ladies' fixtures: Clifton v Canterbury; Meopham v Herne Bay; Herne Bay II v Sevenoaks VI (1pm).