Briefly / Hockey: Balsam Leicester draw perfect conclusion

Balsam Leicester played a calculated goalless draw against the defending champions, Ipswich, to take their first Premier National League title at Melton Mowbray yesterday, writes Brian Tatlock. In an intriguing game of defensive and disciplined hockey, Kath Johnson and Lucy Cope were prominent. First Personnel Sutton Coldfield won their first encounter of the weekend with Slough, Jane Sixsmith scoring the only goal after 61 mintues to earn them third place, but the players appeared more interested in today's AEWHA Cup quarter-final Cup between the clubs. Ealing were relegated after losing 2-1 at home to Clifton. Pauline Baxter scored after 61 minutes to give Bracknell a 1-0 win over Exmouth and the First Division title.