Hockey: Cambridge University prove upsetting for city counterparts

In a bleak weekend for leaders in the regional leagues, only Robinsons, 3-1 winners away to Clevedon in the West Premier, secured maximum points. The weekend's biggest surprise was in the Adnams East Premier where Cambridge University beat Cambridge City 3-2. City dropped to third place.

The students gave an early warning to Oxford of their intention to retain the Deloitte & Touche Varsity Bowl which they won against the odds last season. Playing without their captain Mike Meredith and the leading striker John Mayer, they came from behind to beat City.

Gareth Playfair put the University back on terms after an early City goal from their captain Mike Mitcham. Mark Routledge restored their lead, with the turning point coming when the fourth year engineering student Henry Eard saved a penalty stroke. Goals in the last six minutes from Dave Heathcote and Mike Stather gave the University the points.

In an all round team performance Thierry Gruislin, the Belgium international, and Alister Cotton, son of the former Great Britain manager and player Bernie, were outstanding.

Eastcote, with goals from Peter Gibbons and Danny Geach, threw away a 2-1 lead against Winchester in the ESL South Premier to lose 3-2 but still have a two-point cushion over Chichester, who beat Trojans 4-2.

In the North, Neston, beaten 2-0 by Sheffield Bankers, still hold a one- point lead ahead of Norton, while in the DTZ Midland Premier Khalsa, held to a 3-3 draw by Harborne, lead Edgbaston also by one point.