Hockey: Captain counts on regulars

ED DAUBENEY, the Chelmsford captain who has been waiting to learn whether or not his team's relegation fight will be aided by the arrival of the Indian internationals Kumar Gundeep and Balwinder Singh, said yesterday: 'They have still not arrived and salvation looks like being in our own hands.'

At Brooklands, Daubeney said, 'much depends on David Coombes doing a good marking job on Martyn Grimley.' Chelmsford will be missing Rowan Healey and Adrian Smith, 'but with Colin Allkins back to form in goal, nothing is beyond us,' Daubeney said.

With three games remaining, there is a desperate struggle at the bottom of the Second Division of the PizzaExpress National League. In addition to Chelmsford, seven other clubs are in the relegation zone and four in opposition tomorrow. Lyons, home to Harleston, and Warrington, away to Old Kingstonians, are critical 'six-pointers'.

At the top, a win for Reading at Cheltenham will secure them promotion and the title. Guildford and Indian Gymkhana continue their battle for the second promotion spot.

Guildford's captain, Ian Jennings, flies back this evening from Vienna - where he has been playing in the European indoor championships for St Albans - for their home fixture against Isca. Gymkhana entertain the early pace-setters Richmond, who have fallen away badly in recent weeks.

In the First Division, nothing short of wins for Neston, away at Welton, and Surbiton, visiting Havant, will save them from the drop to the Second Division.