In the topsy-turvy world that is the men’s Premier Division, with only three points now separating the top five clubs, points are starting to take on a particular significance. East Grinstead, who recently lost the top spot, met Hampstead and Westminster in a floodlit match on Saturday evening. Hampstead have a reputation for being draw specialists, and this reputation looked set to continue as they twice pulled EG back from a lead. Torrential rain kept the pitch slow but tempers short, with Hampstead being down to nine men at one stage. However, it was Grinstead’s star packed team which eventually prevailed, with a somewhat unexpected 7-2 victory. This result drops Hampstead out of the top six but leaves Grinstead unmoved in fifth position. It was higher up the table this afternoon (Sunday) where most of the movement took place. Luckless Guildford made a brave effort to grasp some points and managed to get to the break only 1-0 down against Beeston. However, they were totally outclassed in the second, losing 7-1. Ironically, it was a Danny Hall solo effort for Guildford which may qualify for goal of the match. Elsewhere, overnight leaders Loughborough Students lost 2-0 to third placed Cannock, and Reading saw off Belper 6-2. This gives Beeston a one point lead at the head of the table, with Reading. Cannock, and Loughborough all on 16 points. Full league tables are available on our main site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk.
In the women’s Premier Division, the table topping match between first placed Slough and second placed Bowdon Hightown ended in a 3-3 draw. Leicester won away at Ipswich, meaning that Ipswich now move into second place, one point behind Slough. At the other end of the table Sutton Coldfield recorded their first victory, winning 4-1 against Doncaster. This moves Sutton off the bottom of the table, where they are replaced by Doncaster.
