Beeston’s early season matches pitted them against some of the Premier Division’s top sides but last week saw them pick up three points against bottom-of-the-table Havant, and today found them in free-scoring form as they took on newly promoted Southgate. Chris Seddon opened the scoring for Beeston after five minutes, and from thereon it was an avalanche of goals in the Nottingham club’s favour, with goals from Alistair Wilson, Adam Dixon (2), Martin Jones (2), Ben Arnold and David Griffiths. Final score 8-1. East Grinstead also had no problems finding the net when they played host to Hampstead & Westminster. Goals from Danny Hall (2), David Creswell, Mark Pearn and Glenn KIrham won the home side a well deserved victory.
Cannock were not playing today. They qualified for Round 2 of the EuroHockey League this weekend by winning one of their two Round 1 matches in Amsterdam. Bowdon, Havant, Surbiton, and Reading played yesterday. The scores were Bowdon 3 Havant 2 and Surbiton 1 Reading 1. Loughborough Students did not play this weekend.
Men’s Slazenger EHL Premier Division: 1. Cannock 12 pts (+14), 2. East Grinstead 12 pts (+8), 3. Reading 11 pts (+11), 4. Beeston 10 pts (+11), 5. Bowdon 9 pts (-4), 6. Surbiton 6 pts (+0), 7. Hampstead & Westminster 4 pts (-6), 8. Loughborough Students 2 pts (-3), 9. Southgate 1 pt (-13), 10. Havant 0 pts (-15).
In the Conferences, Old Georgians and Exeter University share top place on 13 points, divided in Old Georgians favour by goal difference. The old boys had a successful visit to Bournville this afternoon, coming away 4-2 winners. Exeter played their match yesterday, beating Bath Bucanneers 2-1. In the East, Canterbury continue their remarkable recovery from last season’s relegation by beating struggling Chelmsford 4-1. They lead the table ahead of Indian Gymkhana, who notched up their third win 4-2 at home to Bromley & Beckenham. It is very tight at the top of the North Conference, with Brooklands and Leek both on 13 points, followed by Belper and University of Durham on 12. Durham moved into contention by virtue of a 2-1 win over Belper this afternoon.
One EH Cup match that has be re-arranged due to EuroHockey League commitments, is the game between Havering and Reading, which was won 6-1 by Reading. Reading are playing in Round 1b of the League in Lille next weekend.
