Hockey: Old Boys lean on Thompson

Hockey

BILL COLWILL

Tomorrow's game at Chigwell between Old Loughtonians and Cannock, who have already set the pace at the top of the National League First Division, promises to be quite an encounter. Both clubs, looking for a first League or Cup title this season, recruited heavily during the summer and have secured potential winning combinations.

There will be particular interest tomorrow in the form of Nick Thompson, the Old Boys' new captain, who was England's centre-forward in Berlin at the beginning of the month and Cannock's signing from Hounslow, Bobby Crutchley, who has started with successive hat-tricks.

Reading and newly promoted Barford Tigers, both on full points, meet at Reading with the home side, another club which recruited heavily, likely to take the points.

Hounslow and Havant, who between them have collected five of the seven National League titles, will be looking to improve their dismal starts to the season. With England's captain, Simon Hazlitt, still missing, Hounslow introduce Andy Whalley into their squad for the visit to Indian Gymkhana this afternoon.

Havant look like ending their experiment of playing England's penalty corner specialist, Calum Giles, at left-half, and anticipate returning him to his striking role.