Hockey: Hampstead closing in on play-offs

HAMPSTEAD and Westminster, the leaders of the South Premier League, are just three points away from a place in the national play-offs in their centenary year, writes Bill Colwill. They enjoyed a 3-0 victory at the weekend over third-placed City of Portsmouth.

After a first-half goal from Will Saxby, Portsmouth pressured the Hampstead defence but the London club weathered the storm and added second-half goals through Dan Williams and Dave Dixon.

Second-placed Anchorians, a point behind, beat Dulwich 6-1 with Andrew Simmons scoring a hat-trick and Paul Barry netting twice. The former National League side Anchorians, five points ahead of Portsmouth, look likely to join Hampstead in the play-offs.

Swansea's hopes of becoming the first Welsh club in the National League took a dive when they were beaten 6-1 by Bath Buccaneers, allowing Whitchurch, 2-0 winners at home to Hereford, to take the lead in the West of England and South Wales First Division, thanks to a better goal difference.