HOCKEY: Cannock move to the top

Cannock's 4-0 win against Trojans, thanks to two penalty strokes from Paul Edwards, took them one point clear of Southgate at the top of the First Division of the National League after Southgate, the overnight leaders, went down 2-1 at Hounslow, writes Bill Colwill.

Southgate practised for two hours on the water-based National Stadium pitch on Saturday to familiarise themselves with Hounslow's similar pitch, but it did nothing for their shooting. They conceded goals from Andy Whalley and Rob Thompson and then wasted numerous opportunities before Guy Gisborne converted a late penalty stroke.

There was another surprise at Surbiton where Reading, with a second-half goal from Mark Pearn, came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw after Dave Cook had given Surbiton a 16th minute lead. Guildford also came from behind to beat Canterbury 3-2, with Ian Jennings scoring two late penalty corners.

In the European Club Championship, played indoors, Hightown took the bronze medal with an 8-6 win against Ald Valdeluz in Bratislava, while Old Loughtonians, after a 5-5 draw with Grasshopper Zurich, had to settle for the silver medal in the B Division in Brussels - losing the penalty stroke shoot-out 3-1 -- but achieved their objective of promotion to the A Division for next season.