Hockey: Brown's saves make it easier for Eastcote

Eastcote, leaders in the ESL South Premier, returned to winning form in their last game before the Christmas break with a 3 - 2 win at Bournemouth where they owed much to goalkeeper Dan Brown for a string of fine saves, including at a penalty stroke with the score at 1-1.

A penalty corner goal from Danny Geach set Eastcote on their way in the 10th minute, but although Nick Lygo-Baker quickly equalised, Jon Curtis put the Middlesex side back in the lead before the interval. The former Cambridge University captain Adrian Carter put them further ahead before Tim Stainer pulled a goal back for Bournemouth to set up a worrying final 10 minutes for Eastcote.

Tim Prior, with a well-timed hat-trick, inspired High Wycombe to a 3- 1 win away at Ramgarhia and, with Chichester being held to a 3-3 draw at Tunbridge Wells, into second place. City of Portsmouth were in goalscoring mood against newly promoted Purley with a 7-3 win which took them into third place.

Purley, who swept all before them last season to win promotion, have found the going particularly tough in the Premier where they have been badly handicapped by the retirement of Paddy Osborn, their goalscorer, who has a wrist injury. He joined them last year from Reading after he had been the first to 150 National League goals.

Stuart Avery was again on form for Portsmouth with a hat- trick, while Richard Penrose and Rob Boswell both scored two goals each.