It has been amazingly tight at the top of Slazenger EHL Division One and this afternoon the four top clubs were in action against each other. The promotion issue was decided when leaders Southgate went to Old Georgians. A 2-1 win, with goals from Southgate’s Jordache Rawson and Rick Gay, was enough to secure Premiership hockey for the North London side next season. This leaves the play-off spot still in contention. Old Loughtonians, who this morning were three points adrift of the top, had to be content with a goalless draw against fourth placed Brooklands. Team Bath Buccaneers came out the winner by the odd goal in a nine goal encounter with Belper. Ironically, the match which will probably decide who gets the play off spot will be next weekend’s meeting between Southgate and Old Loughtonians.
Men’s Division One leaders: 1st Southgate (promoted) 41 pts (+35), 2nd Old Loughtonians 36 pts (+28), 3rd Brooklands MU 35 pts (+17), 4th Old Georgians 34 pts (+27), 5th Team Bath Buccaneers 33 pts (+26).
In the Men’s Premier Division champions Reading beat Beeston 7-5. One of the surprise results of the day was Cannock going down 3-2 to Surbiton, with James Wallis, Andrew Sheridan and Tim Pinnock being Surbiton’s scorers. Canterbury ended their season on a sad note. Their 8-1 defeat at the hands of East Grinstead finally condemns them to relegation. Canterbury’s loss was Hampstead and Westminster’s gain. They have the lifeline of a play-off place. They managed a 1-1 draw against Loughborough Students. The two new clubs to the Premiership played their penultimate match of the season against each other, with Bowdon emerging the 5-2 winners.
