Hockey: Middleton inspires Cannock

Barry Middleton, the Great Britain striker and Loughborough Student, destroyed his University side at Canterbury yesterday with an inspirational display as Cannock registered their third EH Cup final success with a comfortable 2-0 win.

In an entertaining game Middleton opened the scoring in the 13th minute following a build-up involving Richard Lane and Andrew Langlands. Students were always in the game until five minutes from time when Middleton deflected in a free hit from Chris Mayer.

Fyffes Leicester took the women's trophy after beating Clifton 2-0 in the final. Leicester dominated the opening exchanges but had both a goal and penalty stroke subsequently disallowed after the umpires consulted. The deadlock was broken 10 minutes into the second half when Crista Cullen scored with a low drag shot from a penalty corner. Cullen set up the second for Vanessa Hawkins in the 64th minute, the central striker firing a powerful shot into the roof of the net.