Hockey: Robinson inspires Reading

There were goals galore on the first full day of the new season with the title favourites all getting in on the act.

Reading, the defending champions, beat Canterbury 5-1 with New Zealander Ken Robinson opening the scoring after seven minutes.

Surbiton were in sparkling form against Doncaster. Their Irish Army dentist, Ivan Steen, back after a year off, scored twice as did Stuart Head and Matt Dal in their 8-1 win. The German Olympic Gold medallist Stefan Saliger opened the floodgates in the fourth minute and Ben Hawes completed the scoring. Colin Edwards replied for Doncaster.

Cannock, even without three of their senior players – Chris Mayer, Paul Edwards and the England captain Craig Parnham – were far too strong for Teddington who were beaten 4-1. Martin Jones and Simon Ramsden each scored a brace.

Premier League newcomers Hampstead and Westminster did not get their programme under way against Loughborough Students because they were unable to water the pitch. In the remaining Premier League game, new signing Jon Evennett scored Guildford's only goal in their 1-0 win at St Albans.

In Division Two, newcomers Bath Buccaneers won 5-0 at Formby, and Bowden came from behind to scramble a 2-1 win at East Grinstead. Chris Cheetham equalised Dominick Male's 12th minute penalty corner before Ian Wilson scored the winner on 45 minutes.

In the Women's Premier League, Slough, the defending champions, overcame an early goal from Sutton Coldfield's Jane Sixsmith to go on to a convincing 7-2 victory. Olton scored three times in the last 11 minutes to beat Ipswich 3-1.