Reading hold on at the top

Hockey

BILL COLWILL

Reading came from behind in an exciting 2-2 draw with Guildford to maintain their place at the top of the First Division of the National League, although Old Loughtonians are now level on points.

Ian Jennings put Guildford ahead after two minutes but Jon Wyatt equalised five minutes after the interval. After Scott Ashdown put Reading in front two minutes later, Guildford looked beaten. Jennings then rallied his side and when Simon Mason could do no more than parry his penalty corner five minutes from time, Stuart Matton scored the equaliser.

Old Loughtonians, the over night leaders who thrashed Teddington, last year's champions, 6-2 at Broom Road, saw their latest signing, the Australian Steve Carter, score his first League goals with a hat-trick.

Cannock kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 4-0 home win against Canterbury with the goals coming from Bobby Crutchley, Chris Mayer, Justin Pidcock and Simon Organ. In the Second Division, Beeston, the one side in the League with maximum points, maintained their record with a 5-1 win against Edgbaston.

In the women's National League Hightown, following their 2-0 win at Ipswich, go top of the Premier Division after goals from Tina Cullen and Maggie Souyave. The previous leaders, Sutton Canada Life, could only manage a goalless draw at Clifton and are in second place while defending champions, Slough, 2-1 winners at Bracknell, move into third place, a point behind Hightown.

In the First Division, Trojans and Canterbury have maximum points and are 10 points clear of Chelmsford. Olton, the only other club not to have dropped a point, lead the Second Division.