HOCKEY : St Albans promoted at first attempt

While the battle for the National League First Division championship shows no signs of abating, St Albans beat Bromley 2-1 at home to take the Second Division title and return to the First after one season in the lower echelons. Late penalty-corner goals from Jeremy Deeks and Mike Pell signalled the start of the celebrations.

In the First Division, Teddington, with a 1-0 win at Indian Gymkhana on Saturday and a comfortable 3-0 victory at Havant yesterday, now lead by three points from Cannock, Guildford and Reading, who all have 34 points.

Cannock, in second place, gave their goal difference a boost with a 5- 0 win at Hull on Saturday and a 3-0 win at home to Hounslow yesterday. Third-placed Guildford also had two wins, 4-1 against Bournville and 3- 1 away to Indian Gymkhana.

Firebrands just kept alive their hopes of avoiding relegation with a 1-1 draw at Surbiton.

In the Second Division, Whitchurch, beaten 4-1 by Oxford University, join Crostyx in the play-offs for survival.

England gave impressive performances in winning the Under-18 and Under- 16 titles in the Home Quad internationals at Newport.