Hockey: First time lucky for Reading

Reading, making their first appearance at Indoor Finals night at Crystal Palace, took the title with a workmanlike 9-8 win against East Grinstead before an excited, packed house.

Always in the lead after Mark Pearn put them ahead with the first of his four goals in the fifth minute with a delicately placed shot, the Berkshire side, the current outdoor champions, fully deserved their victory.

East Grinstead, guided by the experienced Richard Leman and Scotland's Mark Zander, always remained in the hunt. Jeremy Boyse, afterwards named Player of the Tournament with six goals, ensured they were always in contention until the final whistle. Indeed, he scored the final goal with just five seconds remaining.

Reading took control of the game with two goals from Howard Hoskin inside 20 seconds six minutes into the second half and then kept in front.