Hockey: Cannock secure title with rout of Reading

Cannock produced a very effective all-round performance to beat the defending champions, Reading, 4-1 in a highly entertaining game yesterday to win the National League Premier title for the fifth time in the past eight years.

Although Reading started well with Jonty Clarke sparkling down the right wing, scoring the opening goal in the 10th minute and creating a number of other chances, the visitors were quickly on terms with Simon Ramsden scoring the first of his two goals in the 19th minute. Two second-half goals from the teenager Barry Middleton midway through the half put the game well out of Reading's reach.

Cannock replaced their goalkeeper, James Fair, for the last couple of minutes to allow England's Jimi Lewis a last appearance for the club. Lewis departs on Tuesday to Hamburg to join his old Havant colleague Russell Garcia with the Gladbacher club.

Ian Jennings cast aside his disappointment following his decision last week to resign as assistant coach to the England women's squad with a hat-trick for Guildford as they beat Surbiton 4-3.

In the women's Premier, Slough secured their ninth championship, beating the defending champions Clifton 3-0. Their England striker Jane Smith scored twice to take her total to 25 league goals. Second-placed Olton and West Warwick could only draw 3-3 at Chelmsford. Third-placed Canterbury beat Leicester 4-2 while Ipswich, held to a 2-2 draw at Hightown, complete the Premiership play-off quartet.