Hockey: Williams unable to keep Canterbury out

CANTERBURY MAINTAINED their lead at the top of the Premier Division yesterday with an easy 4-1 win at home to Beeston. With the emphasis on attack, Canterbury managed to overcome a stubborn Beeston defence in which goalkeeper Danny Williams was outstanding.

The result never looked in doubt after Jon Evennett had given Canterbury the lead at their first penalty corner after 10 minutes. However, Craig Keegan in the Beeston midfield deserved more than mere credit for making the 33rd-minute goal which Tim Baralett scored.

Paul Wicken restored Canterbury's two-goal margin just before the interval. The terrier-like Tim Pinnock, who had scored Canterbury's second after 20 minutes, completed the scoring 22 minutes into a scrappy second half.

Bobby Crutchley, with yet another hat-trick in Cannock's 4- 1 win against Guildford, kept his side in second place with Southgate, 4-2 winners against Hounslow, staying third. Six points behind after having played an extra game are Reading who, with Jonny Loose scoring twice, beat Bournville 4-3. On Saturday, Reading beat Loughborough Students 4-1 in their delayed fifth-round EHA Cup game.

Nick Thompson was another hat-trick man for Old Loughtonians but finished on the losing side, going down 5-4 to Teddington for whom Jon Hauck scored all five goals. In the relegation battle East Grinstead beat Brooklands 9-1 with Jason Collins scoring three.

Barford Tigers, 4-2 winners against Bromley, took over the leadership of Division One from Doncaster with Surbiton beating Lewes 5-1 to snatch their second place spot. Top South African striker Greg Nicol has joined the Surrey club in their push for the Premiership and scored their last goal.

In Perth, London Slough won the inaugural Women's Indoor World Cities Tournament after beating Sydney 4-2 in their penultimate match with Jane Smith, the event's top-scorer with 15 goals, netting twice.

Harleston Magpies and Dulwich won their way from the regional leagues to next year's national indoor league after a round-robin contest at Cocks Moors Woods, Birmingham on Saturday. Kath Johnson, the former Great Britain and Leicester player, with a 12-goal haul, masterminded Magpies' success.