Robinson hat-trick adds fire to Reading's challenge

Reading began the new season in convincing form with a 5-3 win against a depleted Guildford thanks to the scoring prowess of their Kiwi pair.

Ken Robinson claimed a spectacular hat-trick with Simon Towns cashing in with the other two for the defending champions.

Always chasing the game and without the services of their inspirational inter-national Guy Fordham and player-coach Ian Jennings, Guildford stayed in the game for long periods thanks to a string of saves from goalkeeper Nick Taylor and two penalty corner goals from captain Danny Hall. Trinidad's Brian Garcia scored their third.

There were away wins for Cannock against the promoted Hampstead and Westminster team, a Simon Organ penalty corner in the 60th minute separating the sides. Surbiton enjoyed a 3-0 victory away at Southgate with England's Billy Waugh and James Wallis adding their names to the scorecard, along with South African Grant Fulton.

Canterbury's former midfield player Paul Wicken scored the equaliser for Loughborough Students on his League debut for Students at Canterbury to neutralise a David Matthews goal on the interval. In the remaining Premier League game, George Cover's eighth-minute penalty corner gave Teddington the points at home to Old Loughtonians.

England's women begin their World Cup Qualifying campaign in Abbeville this evening against France.