Hockey: Crostyx broken by lack of Styles

CROSTYX, from the Norwich Union East League, showed plenty of initiative in switching their fourth-round HA Cup tie from the waterlogged Picketts Lock to Old Loughtonians ground at Chigwell. But they were unable to find their way through a defensive Teddington formation and were beaten 2-0.

Handicapped by the loss of their central defender Rob Styles three minutes into the game, Crostyx made Teddington fight all the way in the driving rain. They might well have caused an upset with a little more steadiness in front of goal, or their share of luck. As it was, Andy Billson sent Jon Hauck through for a well- taken goal in the 14th minute, the England Under-21 winger skilfully drawing the goalkeeper Peter Collins before slamming the ball into an empty net. Then four minutes into the second half, the former Scottish international Russel Benzies sealed Crostyx's fate as he jabbed the ball home at a penalty-corner melee with the defence clearly expecting the umpire's whistle.

The Cup-holders Hounslow scored seven for the second successive day. After winning their PizzaExpress National League game against Canterbury 7-0 on Saturday to stay two points ahead of Havant at the top, yesterday they beat Old Kingstonians 7-1 with the England strikers Rob Crutchley and Rob Thompson netting three and two respectively. Dave Hacker, from a penalty stroke, and the captain Simon Hazlitt completed the scoring.

The day's biggest upset was Cambridge City, from the National League, losing at home 3-0 to Harrogate, the current leaders in the Second Division of the Ernst and Young North League, with goals from Jason Cooper, Gary Nash and Brian Thomas. Southgate, with hat- tricks from Bill Waugh and Rupert Welch, were the day's highest scorers with a 10-0 win against York.

Surbiton, who notched up a 7-1 League win against Cambridge on Saturday, yesterday accounted for First Division Welton. Gareth Notton, with a 54th-minute penalty-corner strike, put Surbiton into tomorrow's fifth-round draw. Stourport's all-First Division battle with Havant was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 31