Teddington take over at the top

Cannock, the defending Champions, edged out Surbiton 3-2 to win an exciting contest at Sugden Road yesterday to pave the way for Teddington, 4-1 winners against Bournville Birmingham University, to take over the leadership of the Premier Division.

Cannock, the defending Champions, edged out Surbiton 3-2 to win an exciting contest at Sugden Road yesterday to pave the way for Teddington, 4-1 winners against Bournville Birmingham University, to take over the leadership of the Premier Division.

Hampstead and Westminster, 4-1 winners away to Doncaster, kept their three point lead at the top of Division One, whilst St Albans, with a 4-0 win against Firebrands, moved three points clear of the Bristol club at the top of Division Two.

After a string of fine saves by Jimi Lewis had denied Surbiton the lead from several early promising moves, Cannock went ahead at the interval with a well-taken goal by Martin Jones. When, seven minutes into the second half, Jones created Cannock's second goal for Andrew Brogdon, the writing looked on the wall for the Surrey side.

The fightback was led by Ivan Steen with a well-worked goal in the 50th minute and, although Simon Organ restored Cannock's advantage a minute later from the penalty spot after Jones had been pushed over, Surbiton's Greg Nicol, who had had a frustrating afternoon, scored Surbiton's second in a flurry of four penalty corners in the closing minutes.

Two first-half goals from George Cover set Teddington on their way to victory to claim top spot, whilst Southgate overcame a two goal deficit with a storming second half performance to beat Canterbury 4-2, with goals from Gregg Clark, Jon Grice, Duncan Woods and Gavin Markham.