Hockey: Students revived by Laird

SIX GOALS from Adam Laird allowed Cambridge University to cast off their nightmare of throwing away a two-goal advantage in the Varsity match last Tuesday, which finished in a 2-2 draw, when they resumed their challenge for a National League place at the weekend, writes Bill Colwill.

Away to second-placed Ipswich, they went behind twice in the opening five minutes, then stormed back into the game to win 8-3. On the scoring sheet, Laird, their former Oxford Blue, was joined by another former Oxford Blue, Roger Wilcock, and Phil Outram.

On Sunday, in a rearranged game, they quickly went into a two-goal lead before beating West Herts 4-1, with Laird collecting two more, Wilcock another and a first from Steve Amerasekear. Now five points behind the leaders Peterborough Town with a game in hand, the students could make the play-offs, but must first beat Peterborough on Saturday and then Bedford Town on Sunday.

Two former National League players, Declan Colclough and Stephen Osborn, contrived a last-minute goal from Fareham to beat High Wycombe 2-1 in their outstanding game in the South League to send them into the National play-offs as champions.