Hockey: Purley go top after Georgians are toppled

As a limited Regional League programme recommenced after the Christmas break there was a surprising change of leadership at the top of the South Premier. With the leaders, Old Georgians, going down 3-1 at Chichester, Purley Walcountians took top place with a 2-1 win against City of Portsmouth, thanks to two goals from Lachlan Fincher.

Peter Turner, with two goals, and a third from Ollie Lane-Smith gave lowly Chichester their win. Third-placed Oxted, now five points adrift of the leaders, were held to a 2-2 draw away to Oxford University.

In the Printwize East Premier, Crostyx went 10 points clear of Harleston Magpies with a 5-1 victory away at West Herts. Magpies were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Bishop's Stortford.

Whitchurch, the leaders in the Gerrard West League, dropped their first points of the season in a 2-2 draw with Isca.

In the north, with Sheffield Bankers' game postponed, Ben Rhydding moved ahead on goal difference with a 5-2 win against Southport.

* England's women have been drawn alongside Ireland and Wales in the Astro Turf European Nations Cup in Barcelona in September. Tricia Heberle's side will also face Germany, Ukraine and Italy. The men will play Scotland, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and Italy.