Hockey: Moores are the merrier

OLTON, currently leading the Second Division of the Women's National League by five points after just three games, are favourites tomorrow to continue their remarkable run of League games, now in its fifth year without defeat, when they visit Sherwood.

The captain, Jo Reddy, was reluctant to single out any individual but did point to a family which this year already has done much to keep their flag flying high. Linda Moore scored the winner last Saturday against second-placed Canterbury in their 2-1 victory. Earlier her husband, the coach Geoff, had reorganised the side, who included their 14- year-old daughter Kerry, after the Kent club had taken the lead.

'We owe much to the club's youth policy of recent years although we still do rely on experienced players like Linda, Mandy Gatherer and Helen Brass,' Reddy said.

There is no such runaway leader in the Premier Division where Ipswich, Slough and Balsam Leicester all have maximum points. Leicester and Slough meet tomorrow at Melton Mowbray.

The midfield duel between Slough's captain, Karen Brown, and Leicester's Kath Johnson could be something worth going a long way to see. Brown has dominated for Slough this season while Johnson's terrier-like tackling can be a match for anyone in the world.