LEWES went top of National League division one after trouncing Hounslow 8-2.

The victory took their goals tally to 16 in two games and confirmed Lewes' growing reputation in the highest echelons of English hockey.

But the first half gave no indication of what was to come as Lewes produced a lethargic display and were twice pegged back by the visitors.

Ed Cabay gave Lewes the lead following a good move between the Boyse brothers, Jeremy and Alistair, only for Hounslow to draw level almost straightaway.

A Jeremy Boyse flick from a short corner restored the lead, but Hounslow equalised again just before the interval.

Strong words at half time produced a vastly improved second half display, with Jeremy Boyse soon restoring the lead from another short corner.

Luke Hurle extended the advantage from a narrow angle and Alistair Boyse then made it 5-2 following another good move.

Ben Hawes converted a Jeremy Boyse cross for the sixth, Cabay then made it 7-2 with a lunging touch and Hawes completed the scoring with a reverse stick shot.

Manager Peter Boyse said: "It is nice to be top-of-the-table and we want to stay there now."

LEWES: Dale; Hill, J. Boyse, Heslop, Walker; Owen, Hawes, Poulsen; Dupont, A. Boyse, Cabay. Sub: Hurle. Man-of-the-match: Ben Hawes.

DESPITE taking a fourth minute lead, East Grinstead crashed 8-2 at home to Loughborough Students and remain bottom of division one.

Richard Payne put Grinstead ahead, but the Students equalised straightaway and then took advantage after the home side lost the hard-tackling Henry Lacey with injured fingers.

Trailing 4-1 at the interval, Grinstead pulled another back when Julian Mills got the final touch from a penalty corner, but Loughborough continued to score freely.

GRINSTEAD: Spight, Lacey, Baker, Holland, R. Payne, B. Payne, Bhatti, Mills, Male, Thomas, J. Payne. Subs: Main, Ogden, Sears, Aked.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.