Being relegated out of the North or South Divisions of the EHL means an end to national league hockey, or at least for a season, but with a single match left to play only one club knows for certain that they are taking the drop. Today (Sunday) all three clubs at the bottom of the North Division lost. Nottingham, who are already relegated, had salt rubbed into the wound when they met second placed Barford Tigers and fell victim to four goals by the irrepressible Jimmy Singh for a reply of two. This match was marred by the red carding of Nottingham’s Tom Oliver and Tiger’s Ravinder Sandhu following a violent confrontation just before the break. Barford started out the day having already booked a play-off place but are unable to catch leaders Sheffield UB, who also won today 3-2 against Harrogate. Tenth placed Sheffield Hallam and eleventh placed Lichfield still have the lifeline of a play-off place to play for. Hallam are three points ahead of Lichfield but with a five goal advantage on goal difference. Both clubs are due to play opponents next Sunday from the lower end of the table.
In the South, Old Georgians are already promoted with a ten point advantage over second placed Oxted, and a goal difference of 65. Oxted have booked their play-off place by virtue of their 5-1 win over Ipswich, who are on the edge of the relegation zone. Just like elsewhere in the league, the final fixtures have thrown up some life and death confrontations, including today’s meeting of the two bottom clubs, Oxford Hawks and St Albans. Hawks put six past the Saints for no reply and move off bottom spot. Plymouth Marjon are stuck in the play-off spot, two points behind Ipswich. In theory, for all four bottom clubs, it depends on the last match and the play-offs. St Albans meet Ipswich next Sunday, Hawks play fifth placed Whitchurch, and Plymouth play University of Birmingham.
Full updated league tables will be posted to our main site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk later today.
