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Reading have been comfortably ahead of the pack at the top of the Slazenger Premiership for much of the season but must have been relieved to have secured sufficient points to claim the championship ahead of their trip to Spain next weekend for the EuroHockey League. The prospects of meeting high-flying East Grinstead this afternoon must have been viewed with some trepidation and a Danny Hall equaliser in the second half, wiping out Andy Watts’ 12^th minute goal, cannot have helped. However, Reading immediately responded with a goal in open play from Simon Lanyon and the score remained at 2-1, giving Reading the match and the Premier Division championship. Cannock, also destined for the EuroHockey League next weekend, came a cropper when visited by Bowdon, who scored four times, all from penalty corners. Final score: 4-2. A last gasp penalty corner by John Jackson gave Loughborough Students the points in their 3-2 win over Surbiton. Canterbury’s misery increased when they went down 3-5 to Hampstead and Westminster, despite an early goal by Canbterbury’s Craig Boyne. The sides that were promoted to the Premiership this season seem to have picked up momentum as the season has progressed. In addition to Bowdon’s win at Cannock, Havant recorded a 3-2 win against visitors, Beeston.

TalkHockeyRadio was at Old Loughtonians where the second and third placed sides in Division One were meeting. It was end to end stuff with Gareth Carr opening Old Georgians’ account after only five minutes (see our photograph). Chris Seward replied shortly afterwards and OGs went into the break one behind after a penalty stroke was converted by Oliver Didhams. However, Gareth Carr scored his second fifteen minutes into the second half, giving a final score of 2-2. This was possibly the worst possible result for both teams as the leaders, Southgate, won their match against Chelmsford 2-1 and have opened up a three point gap between them and Old Loughts. OGs are one point behind OLs.

Teddington have finally left the national league after losing 3-1 to Robinsons this afternoon. They are on 7 points with a margin of 11 points separating them and the 10^th placed team.