Hockey: Cannock cheered by Crutchley hat-trick

Bobby Crutchley took his season's tally of League hat-tricks to eight as Cannock's victory at Havant maintained their four-point lead at the top of the Premier Division. Second-placed Reading just got the better of Canterbury in an entertaining five-goal game at Polo Farm, with Scott Ashdown scoring the winner with his second goal in the 55th minute from a deflection at a penalty corner.

Teddington, with a 3-1 win against struggling Surbiton, are in third place. After Andy Billson's first-half goal for Teddington had been matched by Tom Sexton's strike two minutes into the second half, the turning point came when, a few minutes later, David Justesen's penalty corner hit the crossbar and Sexton's follow-up struck the upright.

Teddington, with Jason Laslett moving further forward, came back into the game. Phil McGuire scored from a penalty corner, with Jon Hauck cementing the victory with seven minutes remaining.

At Southgate, fourth-placed East Grinstead were always in control. Richard Gibson scored three times as they went into a 5-0 lead before late goals from Peter Gibson and Amarjit Bhogal provided the final 5-2 scoreline.

Hounslow yesterday crushed Old Loughtonians 6-2 in spite of the Old Boys taking an early lead through an Alan Philpot penalty stroke. Andy Whalley scored twice for Hounslow.

In the First Division, Beeston marched on, beating Firebrands 5-0. They are now five points clear of Doncaster, who were held to a 3-3 draw by third-placed Bourneville.