Hockey: Norton are taking nothing for granted

Norton march on relentlessly with maximum points at the top of the North Premier following their 4-1 away win over Ramgarhia at Leeds. Although they are 12 points ahead of Formby, their captain, Richard Finney, is taking nothing for granted and no coach has yet been booked for Milton Keynes and the April National League play-offs.

Finney opened the scoring against Ramgarhia, Guy Bolsover made his usual contribution with Phil Hardy converting a penalty corner and, as the opposition tired, Gary Ferguson completed the tally.

In the Nastro Azzurro South Premier Anchorians had a convincing 5-2 win away to Gore Court and are now four points clear of Hampstead and Westminster, who surprisingly dropped points to lowly Woking in a 3-3 draw.

Always struggling after conceding an early goal in the opening minute to a Greg Machin penalty corner, Hampstead fought back with goals from Mark Crowley - his 23rd of the season, Will Saxby and Rob Turner before a late equaliser from Mick Colclough gave the Surrey side a point they fully deserved.

Even after dropping two points, Hampstead are seven points clear of third- placed Wimbledon, who won 4-3 at Ashford, and look pretty certain to make the play-offs along with Anchorians. Both teams are very keen to retrieve their National League status.

Gareth Machin scored twice for City with Gys Thieme getting the third as they beat the University 3-0 in Cambridge's Gown v Town match in the Adnams East Premier. Cambridge City, six points ahead of Chelmsford, have, like Norton, yet to drop a point.