Hockey: South-East's well-timed run

SOUTH-EAST came from behind with two final-day victories to win their third successive Under-18 title in the Schools and Youth Divisional Tournament at Coventry School yesterday. Midlands took the Under-16 title from South-West on goal difference after three days of fiercely contested competition, writes Bill Colwill.

With last-day 2-1 victories against East and Midlands, South-East then had to endure a nail-biting contest between East, the overnight unbeaten favourites, and North-West before taking their fifth title in the past six years.

Against the strong-running East in their first game, goals from Daniel Poulsen and Alistair Boyse set up their win with East Grinstead's Boyse getting both goals against Midlands where it was the strong defensive play of Philip Walker, restricting the dangerous Mark Scully to just one goal, which was the crucial factor.

Even so East went into their final game against North-West needing only to avoid defeat to take the title. They selected a defensive approach, found North-West keeper Tom Margham in impressive form and paid the penalty when Stuart Humphries slipped in for the only goal with 19 minutes left.