Havant look in deep trouble as they crashed to their fourth defeat of the season. Their opponents this afternoon in the Slazenger Men’s EHL Premier Division were Beeston, who last term failed to live up to their early season promise but have now been reinforced by the return of Ali Wilson from GB duties. Havant got off to a lively enough start, but 14 minutes into the match Chris Seddon found the net for Beeston and for much of the first half Beeston were dominant. A Jamie Parker goal just before the break took Beeston into the second half with a 2-0 advantage and it was not long before Welsh international David Griffiths had extended the lead to three. Beeston paid the price for sitting on a three goal advantage when Andrew Pett scored from a penalty corner. Parker scored his second to restore Beeston’s lead, and Ali Wilson put the icing on the Beeston cake by scoring an overtime penalty corner. Final score 5-1. Our photograph shows David Griffiths celebrating his 40th minute goal. Further images will appear on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk soon.
The match at Havant was the only game in the Premier League today.
In the women’s Premier, Canterbury must be wondering what they need to do to earn points after their fourth draw in four matches. Their opponents, Clifton, twice took the lead but a last gasp goal by Canterbury’s Cindy Botha earned them a 2-2 draw. This morning the only thing that separated Bowdon from Olton & West Warwicks was goal difference. This afternoon’s clash between them leaves Bowdon as the only team in the division on maximum points. Two penalty corner conversions by Sally Walton and a field goal by Charlotte Hartley gave Bowdon a 3-1 lead at half time, with Tina Cullen scoring a late second half goal to give her side a 4-3 win. Olton’s scorers were Holly Chipman, Emma Rochlin and Rachel Walker. Despite being depleted by defections abroad, Slough recorded their second win of the season, with a 2-0 victory over Poynton, as did debutantes Trojans. Trojans’ victims were Chelmsford, whose failure to score in four matches leaves them with zero points and an X-rated goal difference. Leicester, who have had a surprisingly indifferent season so far, could only manage a 1-1 draw when they played host to Ipswich.
Women’s Premier Division 1. Bowdon 12pts (+12), 2. Olton & West Warwicks 9pts (+15), 3. Trojans 7pts (+2), 4. Slough 7pts (+1), 5. Clifton 7pts (-1), 6. Leicester 5 pts (+2), 7. Canterbury 4 pts (+0), 8. Poynton 3 pts (-4), 9. Ipswich 1 pt (-8), 10. Chelmsford 0 pts (-19).
