Hockey for D/Telegraph from Patrick Rowley, 14 Mar 09

East Grinstead’s sixth consecutive win, a 7-4 victory at Havant, kept them a point clear with two matches to play in the English League.

Victory in their final outings, against Bowdon (at home) and Surbiton (away), will bring them their first ever national league title.

Yesterday they were at least two goals ahead after the first minute of the second half with David de Prez completing his first hat-trick of the season for them.

Grinstead’s title hopes were possibly helped when Cannock who were only a point behind them, lost 5-3 at Beeston.

Out of form Cannock dropped to 4th place and they are now in danger of not securing one of three places at stake for next season’s European League as five clubs are still in contention.

Grinstead have 35 points, Beeston (34), champions Reading (32), and Cannock and Surbiton (31).

In the women’s Premier, Olton Ladies strengthened their prospects of joining already crowned champions Bowdon in Europe next season with a 5-4 win over 2008 champions Slough.