Hockey: Crutchley grabs four

IN A high-scoring start to the season, champions Cannock won 8- 1 against Old Loughtonians at Chigwell with Bobby Crutchley, the England striker who failed to score in the Commonwealth Games, returning to form in the league and scoring with four strikes.

Southgate twice came from behind at Reading to beat the home side 4-2, their last two goals being scored while reduced to nine players following temporary suspensions to Adrian Simons and Matt Grinham.

Reading, who had taken the lead through Jon Slay and Mark Pearn and dominated the game for long periods, fell apart when playing against nine. Southgate's goals came from new captain, Australian Todd Williams, South African Craig Carolan, Simons and an open play goal from Calum Giles.

Guildford, conceding an early penalty stroke converted by Craig Keegan, recovered to beat Beeston 6-4, Ian Jennings scoring a hat-trick and Danny Hall collecting a couple. In the local derby at Canterbury, David Mathews and Mark Hollingworth each scored twice for last season's runners up, as they beat East Grinstead 5-2. John Rea's hat-trick for Bromley failed to deliver the points as they went down 4-3 to Hampstead and Westminster.