West Mids Hockey round-up

The Slazenger England Hockey League Premier Division returned to action after the winter break and Cannock moved into second place with a 6-2 win over Beeston.

Cannock gained revenge for recent losses in the league and cup to their Nottinghamshire opponents thanks in part to strikes from Simon Ramsden (2), Richard Lane and Andy Brogden.

Lichfield’s poor start to 2008 in the BodyKraft Midland Hockey League Midlands Premier continued when they suffered a 4-1 defeat away at Coventry & North Warwick. 

The loss was their fourth in five matches this year, which leaves them five places from the bottom of the league. 

In Midlands One, Walsall suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to Solihull Blossomfield and they remain two points ahead of basement side Shrewsbury, who were beaten 9-4 by Rugby & East Warwick.

Competition is fierce at the top of the West Midlands Premier, with just three points separating the top four in the table. 

Two of those sides are Wolverhampton and Finchfield, who fought out a 1-1 draw at Finchfield.

Justin Wilday opened the scoring for Finches from a short corner midway through the first half before Wolves equalised. Wolves are second on 33 points and Finches are a point behind in fourth.

Kidderminster earned a point with a 1-1 draw at Whitchurch and remain in midtable, two places ahead of Old Wulfrunians who were beaten 5-1 at home by league leaders Stone. 

Old Wulfs took the lead against their high flying opponents through Kam Maan, but were unable to keep Stone at bay in the end. 

Wednesbury are a place behind Old Wulfs after a 3-0 home success over strugglers Leamington. 

Old Halesonians kept their West Midlands One promotion challenge on track with a 5-1 victory at second from bottom Pershore. Old Hales are now nine points behind leaders Kings Heath Pickwick, whose match was postponed. 

The sides in fifth and sixth place in the table swapped places when West Bromwich defeated Bloxwich 5-3.

In West Midlands Two, Kingswinford lost ground on the leaders when they were beaten 4-3 at home by rivals Streetly.

Stafford suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Oswestry, while Aldridge suffered a heavy defeat.  They went down by 10-0 at home to league leaders Atherstone Adders.

Stourport Ladies lead the Midland B Division after a double success. On Saturday they travelled to Belper where they won 4-1, thanks to goals from Sophie Harris (2), Katie Miller and Kerry Maughan. They then travelled to Hinckley and ran out 3-2 victors with goals from Fran Moss, Sarah Cavendish and Jodi Vincent. 

Bloxwich Ladies defeated Keele University 3-1 thanks to a hat-trick from Hayley Worgan.