Hockey: Split loyalties for Jennings

(First Edition)

AS A guest player Ian Jennings has been instrumental in the qualification for next year's European Indoor Club Championship of the Scottish club, MIM, and will tonight be trying to help St Albans qualify for the same event by winning the English title at Crystal Palace, writes Bill Colwill.

Stephen Barlow, the Hockey Association's competitions organiser, confirmed that under the present rules there is nothing to stop Jennings, who also plays outdoors for Guildford, continuing to represent St Albans. Nevertheless, it must be wrong for a player to be allowed to play for two different clubs in qualifying competitions for the same European Championship.

St Albans look set to meet East Grinstead, the defending champions, in the final. However, much will depend on whether East Grinstead's three senior players, Richard Leman, Richard Organ and Dutch striker Bram van Asselt can pace themselves for what could be a tough programme of three games inside four hours.

NATIONAL INDOOR FINALS (Crystal Palace): St Albans v Doncaster (4pm); Barford Tigers v Stourport (4.50); Firebrands v Welton (5.40); East Grinstead v Lewes (6.30). Semi-finals: 7.20 and 8.10. Final: 9.30.