Hockey: Surbiton on wrong end of Asselt

BRAM VAN ASSELT, East Grinstead's Dutch striker, scored three times in the 6-1 win against Surbiton, to leave his club leading Southgate on goal difference at the top of the Pizza Express National League First Division.

Southgate beat Trojans 4-3 in an exciting game on Saturday in which Southgate's Rupert Welch, the former England striker, also scored a hat-trick. John Shaw, the captain, scored the fourth. Southgate fought back after Trojans had scored early goals through Graham Jackson and Mark Tubb to take a 3-2 interval lead. Jackson scored a second early in the second half before Shaw rammed home the winner.

Havant, last year's champions, continued their disappointing form by only drawing 1-1 at Bromley. In the weekend's only other First Division game, the 15-year-old Manpreet Kochar, making his league debut, scored Welton's first goal in their 2-1 win at home to St Albans.

In the Second Division, newcomer Beeston sprung the biggest surprise in front of the day's largest crowd - beating Indian Gymkhana 2-1. Off to a dream start with a goal from Ellis Thorpe after 24 seconds, Beeston survived a second-minute penalty stroke, saved by Danny Williams, and Gary Noseley put the home side further ahead 15 minutes into the second half. Sunny Soor pulled a goal back a minute later, but Beeston hung on for their first league points.

After just two weeks of the Women's National League, champions Slough, Hightown and Ipswich are the only teams with 100 per cent records. Slough's performance in winning 3-1 at Ealing on Saturday was less than sparkling. But, with two well taken goals from their former international Kate Parker and a penalty stroke from Denise Shorney, they eventually wore down spirited opposition from the West London club.

Hightown, with first-half goals from Tina Cullen and Nancy Stokes and a second-half penalty stroke from Jackie Crook, proved too powerful for Clifton and won 3-0. Ipswich left it late to get the only goal of their game against Doncaster just two minutes from time, Sarah Bamfield doing the damage.