ERNST & Young (E&Y) won the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) for the third consecutive year when they defeated Sapura 2-0 at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium yesterday.

E&Y have 21 points from seven wins, an unassailable nine-point lead over nearest rivals Tenaga and Sapura, with three matches to spare.

The league title also came with RM60,000 prize money.

The league champions, who evolved from the Andersen Sports Club in 2003, will now be gunning for their maiden Overall title, after having finished runners-up the previous two seasons.

It was a tense first half as players from both sides were involved in scuffles but it was quickly defused by the umpires.
Sapura had four penalty corners but skipper S. Kuhan failed to convert.

E & Y also had goal-scoring opportunities but striker Ismail Abu and Chua Boon Huat failed in their attempts to put their side ahead.

However, E & Y took the lead in the second half through national player Tengku Ahmad Tajudin in the 38th minute.

Tengku Ahmad beat two defenders on the left before flicking the ball past goalkeeper Nasihin Nubli.

In the 64th minute, Boon Huat collected a through pass from Azlan Misron before scoring from a reverse hit attempt.