England

By Cathy Harris

CANTERBURY ruined Chelmsford’s celebrations by beating their hosts 5-2, but it was not all bad news as the home side moved one point clear at the top of the women’s premier division with a 2-0 victory over the Kent team in the other match of a double- header at Chelmer Park.
A penalty-corner goal by Tracy Willmore six minutes before half-time and a second by Lynn Bollington four minutes later secured victory and helped Chelmsford into pole position, ahead of Ipswich and Leicester.



However, the title race remains wide open, with five clubs within three points of the leaders, and Bowdon Hightown, the champions, on 19 points, six adrift of the chasing pack, after losing 3-2 to Slough.

Competition is not as intense in the men’s premier division, with Reading consolidating top spot thanks to a hat-trick by Simon Mantell, the England Under-21 forward, in their 6-0 win against Firebrands. Andrew Watts and Jonty Clarke scored two goals apiece.

Cannock, last year’s winners, are two points off the pace after they threw away a two-goal lead against Loughborough Students and escaped with a 2-2 draw. Simon Ramsden put away a penalty corner in each half for Cannock. Paul Wicken added to his 60th-minute strike with a last-minute equaliser.

East Grinstead and Bath Buccaneers have enjoyed a tussle all season in the first division, but the West Sussex team’s 3-3 draw with Nottingham was enough to see them move one point clear of their rivals. In the second division, a brace by Greg Nicol, the South Africa forward, in Holcombe’s 2-0 win away to Cambridge University gives them a six-point cushion at the top.

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