Unfortunately, a technical problem with the England Hockey results service means that we are unable to bring you a full update after the third day of play in the Indoor EHL. We have managed, however, to secure the results for the Premier Division and have put together a league table from the results we have available.
In the Men’s Premier, East Grinstead remain unbeaten, the only team in the division who can now make that claim. Probably the match of the day was between EG and winner’s of last years national championships, Canterbury. This finished 11-10 in East Grinstead’s favour. Unfortunately, it was not a good day for Canterbury, as they were beaten 4-3 by Bournville in the last game of the day and look as if they will not qualify for this years championships in Birmingham. Probably the on-form side of the day were Beeston, who thumped lowly Robinsons 11-2 and then went on to beat struggling Hull 11-3. If the table remains as it is, we will see three out of the four of last year’s qualifiers absent from the NIA at Birmingham in two weeks time. Reading look out of the running, as do Canterbury, but it is probably a little early to write off Loughborough Students,
In the Women’s Premier, Slough were tripped up by Bowdon, who seem to have found some form after an indifferent start before Christmas. After the 5-3 win over Slough, Bowdon went on to scrape passed Olton 5-4. Slough’s second match of the day, against Chelmsford, ended 3-2 in Slough’s favour. Ipswich consolidated their position in the top four with wins over Olton (5-4) and Canterbury (2-1) and are now level with Slough, only separated by goal difference. The women’s division is still wide open, with six of the nine sides with a potential chance of qualification for Birmingham.
GB TRI SERIES MATCH IN DURBAN
South Africa and Canada may be ranked below Great Britain but both have already qualified for this summer’s Olympics. Great Britain have not, but the opportunity to play in this Tri Nations Tournament is a welcome opportunity to prepare for our Olympic Qualifier in two months time. Playing South Africa in the first of the series of matches, the match went into the second half with no score, but SA took a lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke ten minutes into the half. Britain’s Ashley Jackson redressed the balance less than a minute later from a corner but with five minutes left on the clock the South Africans struck again. Fortunately, James Tindall was able to give GB an equaliser two minutes from time. Final score 2-2. Unfortunately, the Great Britain side has been plagued with training injuries before this match and Richard Mantell, Simon Mantell, Brett Garrard, Graham Moodie, Stephen Dick, and James Fair were all unavailable for selection. Reading’s Nick Catlin won his first cap in this match.
WOMEN’S TRAINING MATCH IN SPAIN
The result of this match in Spain yesterday was not received until today. Great Britain’s women are playing a series of training matches against the Spanish in Terrassa. There was no score in this first in the series.
