Hockey: St Albans go indoors

WITH all outdoor leagues taking their mid-winter break, hockey this weekend moves indoors up and down the country. The first games in the newly structured Crystal Palace Indoor League get underway this morning at the National Sports Centre in a strong field led by St Albans, the national champions for the last five years and six times winners in all, writes Bill Colwill.

East Grinstead, Teddington and Firebrands, are certain to provide some lively encounters. In the East, the Norwich Union Super League is using its competition to find a representative for the finals of the National Indoor Championships. After the first four series of games, Spalding lead Old Loughtonians on goal difference.

England women's indoor squad, preparing for the European Championship, have their last training weekend at Lilleshall while England's outdoor squad will be at Oakham School, Leicester.