CHELMSFORD GIVE LEICESTER A REALITY CHECK

REPORT ON SATURDAY'S HOCKEY BY PAT ROWLEY

Reading moved to the top of the Slazengers English League in the only men’s premier match yesterday, winning 7-4 win at Canterbury. David Mathews completed a hat-trick early in the second half to give the Kent club a 4-2 lead but then Reading took control. Cannock can regain top spot if they beat fellow title challengers East Grinstead at Hathersage today.

Leicester’s run of nine successive victories in the women’s premier came to an end. The champions were held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Chelmsford side at Chelmer Park. Mid-table Chelmsford made it four points our of six against Leicester this winter and were worth their draw, though helped by a foot injury which side-lined Leicester’s star player, Crista Cullen, for most of the second half. Leicester led inside six minutes but Chelmsford buckled down and Chloe Rogers magic saw her side draw level early in the second half. Free scoring Leicester – 22 goals in their previous two games – now head the women’s premier by only three points. The three chasing clubs all won. High scoring this week came from nearest rivals Bowdon and Canterbury, both 7-1 away winners while Slough won 3-2 at Olton with a late goal by Alex Danson. [Our photograph shows Kerry Williams scoring for Leicester].

THE GERMAN WOMEN lost their title at the World Indoor Championships in Vienna when beaten 4-3 by Spain in the semi-finals. And Spain nearly upset Germany in the men’s semi-finals too. The Germans squeezed through 3-2. Netherlands play Germany in today’s women’s final while Germany’s men meet Poland.

Full league tables will appear on our main site tomorrow evening, plus photographs from the Chelmsford v Leicester match. Go to our main site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk