Hockey: Crutchley hat-trick in vain

Bobby Crutchley maintained his remarkable goalscoring prowess with a hat-trick for the Premier League leaders Cannock yesterday, but it was not enough to prevent their third defeat of the season after leading 3- 1.

Old Loughtonians, in spite of losing Olympian Nick Thompson in the 10th minute with a knee injury, beat Cannock 4-3 in an exciting game in which Ian Morrison scored three from penalty corners for the Old Boys.

At East Grinstead, Great Britain goalkeepers David Luckes and Simon Mason each conceded five goals as second-placed Grinstead had to settle for a draw. Two contenders for an England striker's spot, Grinstead's Richard Gibson and Reading's Mark Pearn, scored hat-tricks.

In Lievin, Germany won their eighth successive European Indoor Nations Championship when they beat the Czech Republic 10-5 in the final. Scotland were relegated after losing their final game 7-6 to France.

In the Women's National Indoor League Slough retained the title beating Hightown 7-6 with three goals by Jane Smith.