Hockey: Loughborough fitness secures final triumph

Loughborough Students, the hosts, who had strolled majestically to the final of the European Indoor Club Champions Challenge were yesterday made to struggle until their superior fitness told in the second half, going on to beat Kolos Vinnitsa 7-1.

Both sides reached the final unbeaten and the Ukraine champions became the only side to lead Loughborough during the tournament when they scored in the 13th minute. But three excellent saves from Giles Cadman in the Student's goal kept the visitors at bay until, with a couple of minutes of the first half remaining, Loughborough's player-coach David Ralph put them ahead at a corner with his second goal.

When Glenn Kirkham converted a penalty stroke two minutes into the second half for the first time it looked likely that they would take the title. From that moment things went Loughborough's way with goals coming at regular intervals from James McBlane, Richard Alexander and Jon Bleby with Ralph completing a fine performance with his hat trick on the final whistle.

With leaders Cannock's game against Loughborough postponed, Reading took over the leadership of the Premier Division of the National League with an awesome second-half display at St Albans, who led 1-0 at the interval. Jon Wyatt scored a hat-trick in an eventual 5-1 win. Surbiton, with John Grice scoring twice, also made progress with a 3-1 victory against Old Loughtonians.

In the Women's Premier Chelmsford's 4-0 win on Saturday at home to Doncaster maintained their two point lead over Clifton who beat Ipswich 4-2.