HOCKEY: Coach slates `whingers'

DAVID MATHEWS scored twice for Canterbury as they overcame a two- goal deficit to beat Southgate 3-2. In an exciting game Southgate started convincingly and within 18 minutes were leading 2-0 following a penalty corner goal from their Australian captain, Todd Williams, and a well taken goal from John Shaw.

But the game hinged on the temporary suspension of Williams in the 51st minute, which may have been a case of mistaken identity, and the arrival of Sean Kerly as a Canterbury substitute. After Mathews had pulled a goal back, Mark Hollingsworth equalised for Canterbury and then Mathews scored the winner with a powerful drag penalty corner shot, the last two goals coming while Williams was sidelined.

Southgate's Australian coach, Neil Hawgood, had little sympathy for his team afterwards: "They are a lot of whingers. You will never change an umpire's decision. You just have to accept it and get on with the game," he said.

Cannock came from behind at East Grinstead to win 3-2 and take over second place with Beeston moving to fourth behind Southgate after their 5-2 win against Brooklands.

Dharminder Singh scored a hat-trick as Barford Tigers beat Sheffield 5-1 to take over the First Division leadership after Surbiton were beaten 4-3 by Indian Gymkhana. Mark Wood scored all five goals as Doncaster beat Havant 5-2 to move up to second.

In the women's Premier, Slough reduced the gap behind Ipswich to three points at the top following their 3-0 win against Doncaster.

England, having won their disciplinary hearing last week in Brussels, have been included in the six teams for next year's Champions Trophy in Brisbane, where they will line up against the Netherlands, Pakistan, Australia, Korea and Spain.