Cannock will host the Pakistan hockey team during the 2012 Olympic tournament this summer, it was confirmed today.

Cannock narrowed the gap on leaders Reading in the Slazenger England Hockey League Men’s Premier Division by beating them 2-0 on Saturday, a win that saw Cannock close to just six points behind in third place.

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.

Several of the region’s hockey matches fell victim to the weather last weekend, with Walsall, Wednesbury, Rugeley, Chaddesley Corbett, Aldridge and Kingswinford all suffering postponements of their scheduled fixtures in the Bodykraft Midland Regional League.

Lichfield suffered a heavy defeat to lowly BodyKraft Midlands Premier League rivals Nottingham on Saturday.

The region’s hockey players returned to action at the weekend after the Christmas break and Lichfield started with a defeat in the men’s Midland Regional Hockey Association Premier League.

Midlands Premier sides Lichfield and Bridgnorth both suffered battling defeats in a curtailed hockey programme this weekend.

Wolverhampton hammered Leamington 4-1 in another convincing performance in the Bodykraft Midlands League West Midlands premier division.

Cannock negotiated a tough double header to stay top of National North this weekend.

Cannock are into the knockout stages of the European Hockey League after a double win in Holland this weekend.

Cannock suffered a double defeat this weekend – crashing out of the cup after being turned over by title rivals Reading.

Cannock’s title tilt suffered a blow as they were beaten for the first time this season at Beeston.