Weekend EHL roundup for 3 December 2006

Beeston’s brief stay as Premier Division leaders came to an end this afternoon (Sunday) when they were beaten 1-2 by Reading. Reading now go top on 19 points, ahead on goal difference from Cannock, who won 3-2 at home to Surbiton. Also on 19 points is Loughborough Students, who overcame Hampstead and Westminster 2-1. East Grinstead stay in 5^th place despite a 5-2 win over struggling Belper. Also at the bottom end of the division, Canterbury recorded only their second win of the season by beating Guildford 3-1. Canterbury move up one place to 8^th.

Bowdon’s seemingly unstoppable charge for promotion suffered a slight hiccup when they drew against 7^th place Bournville, closing the gap between them and chasing Havant to three points. Havant visited Holcombe this afternoon and opened the scoring after only two minutes with a classic Callum Giles penalty corner conversion. Twenty-five minutes later, Egyptian international Mohamed Ezz left the sin bin to score Havant’s second goal, again from a corner. Ezz was on target shortly after the break with a well struck field goal. Holcombe fought to get back into the match, and when Chris Bassano-Harper pulled one back in the 44^th minute, it looked as if Holcombe might get back on level terms. However, their hopes were dashed when Andrew Pett scored six minutes later. Final score 4-1 to Havant. Elsewhere, Oxford Hawks won their first match of the season against fellow strugglers St Albans, but remain at the bottom of the South Division.

In the Women’s Premier Division, Slough slipped from the top slot yesterday after drawing 2-2 with Chelmsford. Their place is taken by Leicester, who beat Olton and West Warwickshire 2-0.

A full set of EHL tables appears on our main web-site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk