English Roses, new to the British League this season, maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of women's Division Three with a 10-5 victory over nearest rivals Devonport Royal.

BWPL president Pippa Jones was among the scorers. The other goals went to Michelle Ashcroft (2), Amanda Saville (2), Ciara Pinnington (2), Louise Betts (2) and Sally Gilder. Devonport's goals were shared by Rachel Ward (3) and Connie McGregor (2).

After an even first half, Lancaster scored six times in the third quarter against men's Division One rivals Bristol Central and went on to complete a second victory of the Ponds Forge weekend, 13-8.

Lancaster's scorers were Tom Curwen (5), Alex Parsonage (4), Graham Harrington (3) and Scott Sharpe.

In Division Two, Marcus Hook was on the mark with a hat-trick in Birmingham's 8-4 defeat of West London Penguin. Sutton & Cheam's 12-8 victory over youthful Manchester Hawks included four goals by Gerarda Biancardi and three from Stephen Bayles.

York City made it five wins from five matches in men's Division Three when Chris Burns scored eight in a 17-12 victory over City of Cambridge at Basildon today (28 September).

There were six goals for Southampton's Jackson Mullins against Cheltenham Spartans, who were beaten 13-9.

Team Northumbria recovered from 4-1 down midway through the second quarter to beat Welsh Wanderers 9-8 in a closely-fought Division Two clash at Ponds Forge today (28 September) - the northern team's second success of the weekend.

The Wanderers were still narrowly ahead at 7-6 at the start of the last quarter. And with four minutes left, it was 8-8. Then, with a minute remaining, a man-up situation gave James Pratt the chance to claim a winner for Northumbria. Brett Perkins (4) and Neil Bowers (3) led the Northumbria scoring while Dan Laxton netted four for Wanderers.

A goal 47 seconds from the end by Andrea Mirabile earned Polytechnic a point in a 5-5 men's Division One draw with Portobello at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, today (28 September).

The score stood at 3-3 after three quarters. Poly immediately took the lead through Galan, only for Johnston to equalise and Fraser Rutherford to score from a man-up to give the Scots a 5-4 advantage with five minutes still to play.

Goals were scarce in the Manchester-Invicta clash, which ended in a 6-2 victory for the champions. Manchester led 5-0 after three periods and it was only in the last three minutes that Invicta managed a couple of consolation goals.

Fast-improving Devonport Royal chalked up another emphatic victory in women's Division Three at Ponds Forge (27 September), outplaying Sunderland 15-5.

English Roses also won again - 14-6 against Southampton. But Leeds Hammerheads and Polytechnic shared the points in a tense 4-4 draw.

Claire Gambles scored eight of Penguin Rockhoppers' goals against Iceni in a 13-4 win.

Three excellent goals in the space of just 58 seconds by Joel Thomas briefly earned Cheltenham a 5-4 lead against Lancaster in men's Division One at Ponds Forge today (27 September).

Cheltenham also claimed a 9-8 lead near the end of the third quarter. But Lancaster dominated the final period, scoring six through Glen Robinson (2), Alex Parsonage (2), Tom Curwen and Roger Kennedy to win 15-10.

Portobello led 5-0 in the first quarter against Invicta and went to win 10-6.

Division Two will be keenly contested once again this season. A goal nine seconds from the end by Brown earned Manchester Hawks a 9-9 draw with West London Penguin while Sutton & Cheam benefited from four goals by Biancardi to snatch an 8-6 victory over City of Birmingham.

Caledonia scored seven goals without response in the third period on their way to a 16-7 defeat of Welsh Wanderers while goals by Perkins (2), Smith (2), Ruffo, Bowers and Calvert gave Team Northumbria a 7-4 victory over Croydon Amphibians.

York City are now the only team with a 100 per cent record in men's Division 4 after beating Bridgefield 9-4 at Basildon (27 September).

Cheltenham Spartans took a hammering at the hands of Watford, crashing 27-8. Tamas Csendes led the Watford scoring with six.

Castleford edged an 11-10 victory over Ealing in the battle of two previously undefeated men's Division Five teams at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, today (27 September).

Ealing recovered from 5-3 down to take a brief lead at 7-6 midway through the third period, but goals by Hall (2), Miller and Walsh gave Castleford a 10-7 advantage by the early stages of the final period. Ealing rallied again but too late to prevent a vital win for Yorkshire team. Franks (3), Hall (2), Millar (2) and Walsh (2) were their main scorers while Kurtev netted four for Ealing and Aotunasov three.

Promoted clubs City of Sheffield and Polytechnic suffered defeats in their opening matches of the men's Division One campaign at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, today (27 September).

Sheffield trailed only 4-2 after two quarters against Bristol Central, but faded in the second half and eventually went down 10-4. Taylor, Zanon, Wyatt and Fennell each scored twice for Bristol.

Polytechnic competed well against champions Manchester and were level at 4-4 after two periods thanks to goals by Icely (2), Galan and Miletic. But Joe O'Regan's fourth goal edged Manchester 5-4 ahead until the final four minutes, when Mike Bourne and Rob Rae ensured a 7-4 Manchester victory.