Four first half goals helped battling Canterbury beat former leaders University of Birmingham as the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division provided some big results.

Previously bottom of the table, Canterbury’s recent form has seen them climb to seventh with just one loss in their last seven matches.

Erica Sanders gave the University of Birmingham an early lead with a field goal in the fourth minute. But Canterbury’s Aussie ace Penny Squibb levelled a minute later, and other strikes from Elizabeth Jenkins (2) and Mark Flint put the Kent side 4-1 ahead at half time.

Holly Munro added another for Birmingham after the break, but they couldn’t battle back and slip to fourth in the table.

Bottom of the table Leicester battled to a 1-1 draw with title-chasing Holcombe, who drop to third after the draw. Katie Long put Leicester into the lead after four minutes, only for Philippa Lewis to salvage a point for Holcombe with 11 minutes left.

Second half goals from Jen Wilson and Sophie Crosley helped Sevenoaks win 2-0 at home against St Albans in the Investec Women’s Conference East.