Hockey: Hounslow are made to fight

THERE were several notable fightbacks in yesterday's PizzaExpress National League programme, writes Bill Colwill.

Among them, Hounslow, the First Division leaders, were two down at Bournville to goals from Neil Mallett and Nick Conway. Then Hounslow's goalkeeper, Jason Barrow, was temporarily suspended before second-half penalty-corner conversions from Rob Thompson (2) and Rob Crutchley saved the day.

St Albans were trailing to Stourport after two goals from David Knott, but Duncan Cogdell and Peter Gibbons scored hat- tricks for the Saints in a 6-2 win.

Don Williams, the Great Britain striker, also scored three in Havant's 4-2 win against Canterbury after Sean Kerly had struck the first blow for the visitors.

Second-placed Southgate were soon trailing by a James Henderson goal at Bromley before Sean Kerry and James Duthie gave them a 2-1 interval lead, which Rupert Welch stretched to 3-1.

Old Loughtonians, without their Scottish internationals, Alistair Seaton and Colin Hector, twice fought back to draw 2-2 at Cannock with goals from Nick Thompson and Gerald Crymble after Chris Mayer and Paul Edwards had put Cannock ahead. Loughtonians move up to fourth.

In Saturday's women's National League programme, Ipswich, 3-0 winners against Pickwick, maintained their three- point lead at the top over Slough, who won 1-0 at Clifton.