Hockey: Students go third

Loughborough Students moved into third place in the Premier Division of the National League with a comfortable 5-1 victory against Hampstead & Westminster on Saturday. Three goals from Jon Bleby, Chris Graham and Paul Wicken in the opening 15 minutes put the Students in the driving seat with captain and English international Jerome Goudie and Scottish international David Ralph completing the scoring. Ralph also missed a 52nd minute penalty stroke. Hampstead's reply came from Eddie O'Brian. Hampstead's Australian coach Todd Williams has a lot of work to do if he is to avoid his club being relegated in their first season in the top Division.

Two goals from Andrew Kent gave Formby a 2-0 win against Peterborough Town which moved them five points clear of bottom club Blueharts in Division Two. A 61st minute goal from Ian Roberts gave Havant the points in a 1-0 win away to Hounslow & Ealing in the other game.

Fresh from securing significant sponsorship by Higgins plc the indoor season started yesterday with a ten- team South Qualifier at Haslemere. Reading, who have never been fully committed to the indoor game, gave notice of fresh intent when they arrived with a strong squad including four senior internationals led by England's Mark Pearn.

The Berkshire club cruised through their four pool games, scoring 31 goals and conceding just two. Disposed of Teddington in their semi final 6-0 and raced to a 4-0 lead in the final before beating Holcombe 6-4. Holcombe's fightback was headed by South Africans Steve Evans scoring twice and John Paul. For Teddington, it was the last appearance of their captain Danny Haydon who departs after Christmas to play for Air India in Bombay.