HOCKEY

Old Loughtonians 2
Old Georgians 2
(SEHL Division One) OLD Loughtonians push for automatic promotion back to the Premier league suffered a setback after they were held to a disappointing draw with rivals Old Georgians.

In a high-tempo encounter it was the third-place visitors - who had several former Loughts players in the side - who drew first blood from a penalty corner after only five minutes; corner specialist Gareth Carr flicking the ball high into the net.

It was only three minutes before the scores were level when a flowing move down the wing ended with Chris Seward poking the ball home.

Oliver Didham's penalty stroke, awarded when a rebounded penalty corner was stopped on the line by a foot, put Loughts in control on 14 minutes.

The game continued at a frantic pace in an open game with chances at both ends, penalty corners and shots being charged down by both sets of defenders.

Carr flicked another penalty corner high into the net to level the scores on 45 minutes but, despite lots of fast-flowing hockey, neither team could take control or fashion the one chance that could have guaranteed an important victory.

Loughts, who are now three points adrift of leaders Southgate, face another tough game away at fourth-place Brooklands in the penultimate fixture of the season on March 29.