Osborn hits a hat-trick

Hockey

Paddy Osborn, with three goals, kept Reading on course for their first National Championship title when they beat St Albans 6-1 to stay on maximum points at the top of the First Division, writes Bill Colwill. Grant Edwards, Jon Wyatt and Mark Pearn scored the others, with the Saints captain, Andy Halliday, getting their consolation.

Nicky Thompson scored twice as Old Loughtonians came from behind against Hounslow to win 3-1 to hold on to second place. At Saint Hill, Cannock also went a goal down before taking over to win 6-1 with Bobby Crutchley collecting his fourth hat-trick of the season.

In the women's National League on Saturday, a goal from the England manager, Jane Swinnerton-Ions, gave Sutton Canada Life a 1-0 win against Doncaster to go top, one point ahead of Hightown who won 4-1 at home to Bracknell.