Halls to boost Old Boys

Hockey

Teddington's run of nine successive victories, which has taken them to the top of the Premier Division of the men's National League, could end at Chigwell this afternoon if Old Loughtonians can reproduce the discipline and concentration which took them to fourth place in the European Indoor Championship in Germany last weekend, writes Bill Colwill.

Julian Halls, who was injured in their last game at the championship, trained last night and will play. His fellow Olympian, Jason Lee, is doubtful after turning an ankle last night. Teddington will be without their Great Britain captain, Jason Laslett, who is on holiday.

Should Teddington slip up, second-placed Cannock, at home to Barford Tigers, are poised to regain the top spot and will probably use the injured Bobby Crutchley, who has a broken thumb, at penalty corners.

Milton Keynes National Stadium resembled a casualty station as England ended a two-day training camp on Thursday. Guildford's Brett Garrard, suffering from a stress facture, and Cannock's Ben Sharpe, with a gashed leg, are likely to miss this weekend's games while Sharpe's club-mate Andy Humphrey and Hounslow's Guy Fordham have suspected broken toes. But they are expected to play in a busy schedule of league matches today and cup fifth-round ties tomorrow.