Hockey: Reading ready for change of luck

READING, BACK from their European Indoor challenge last weekend, will feel that they have not had too much going for them in recent weeks.

But home advantage on their water-based pitch might just give them the edge this weekend. However, without their captain Jon Wyatt and Manpreet Kochar, they may still find it tough in today's Premier League fixture against leaders Cannock. Cannock themselves will be without their leading goal-scorer, Bobby Crutchley, who has netted 28 times in 16 league games.

Struggling Hounslow travel to Canterbury today and make the journey across London to Southgate for a cup game tomorrow but will be missing Olympic gold medallist Jon Potter for both encounters.

Reading entertain Canterbury in the quarter-finals of the EHA Cup tomorrow while holders Cannock return home to face the only non-Premier club left in the competition, Lewes.

Division One leaders Surbiton and Chelmsford will be looking to put points on the board before their South African players fly out tomorrow night for the Test series against Australia. Although they only expect to miss games on 7 March they will be tired on their return so it is essential to avoid slipping up tomorrow.

Surbiton are at home to fifth- placed Barford Tigers who have lost their way recently, while Chelmsford entertain newly-promoted Eastcote.

Jane Smith, with six goals in Slough's 8-2 win against Glasgow Western, got the English club champions off to a fine start in the European Indoor Club Championship in Glasgow yesterday. Slough, with a depleted squad, never looked back after Smith gave them the lead in the third minute. Champions Russelsheimer edged home in the other pool match, against CPCS Moscow, 5-4.