After the first day of play in the Indoor EHL Premier Division, Old Loughtonians top the men’s table, whilst Olton and West Warwicks lead the women’s.
Old Loughts’ Oliver Didhams was on form in their first match of the day, scoring five times for his side in their 9-2 win against Canterbury. Didham’s found the net in their second match, this time facing Harleston Magpies, with further goals from Gareth Andrew (2) and Richard Lane, both of whom play their outdoor hockey for Cannock. Final score in that match, 4-2 to Old Loughtonians. Old Loughts are on six points, ahead of Beeston on goal difference. Beeston beat the Magpies 5-0 and went on to record a 6-1 win against Bournville. There was a replay of last season’s National Championships Finals, as Loughborough Students met East Grinstead. Ashley Jackson (back with his former club for the indoor league) and Adamson Harper, scored in the opening minute for East Grinstead, and six minutes into the second half the Sussex side had a commanding 6-2 lead. Goals for the Students by Richard Smith, Robbie Smith (2) and Tim Benford resulted in a final score of 6-6. East Grinstead made no mistake in their second match, despatching Havant 8-4, whilst Loughborough Students saw off Canterbury 8-1.
Positions after two matches: 1. Old Loughtonians 6 pts, 2. Beeston 6 pts, 3. East Grinstead 4 pts, 4. Loughborough Students 4 pts, 5. Reading 3 pts, 6. Bournville 3 pts, 7. Havant 0 pts, 8. Canterbury 0 pts, 9. Harleston Magpies 0 pts.
In the women’s league, Jane Smith made an early mark in their match against Olton, but Denise Marston-Smith managed to pull one back for Olton. An Alex Scott goal restored Slough’s lead but goals from Rachel Walker and Emma McCabe gave Olton the 3-2 win. Olton then had a more comfortable victory against Liverpool Sefton, winning 8-1. It has not been a good season outdoors for Ipswich but things looked much better for the ladies from Suffolk indoors. With a 3-2 win over Canterbury and a 3-2 win over Aldridge, Ipswich and Olton are the only two sides on maximum points. Tina Cullen found the net six times in Bowdon Hightown’s 12-0 demolition of Liverpool Sefton but had less luck when they met Clifton, Jo Ellis scoring Bowdon’s only goal in a 1-1 draw.
Positions after two matches.: 1.Olton & WW 6 pts, 2. Ipswich 6 pts, 3. Bowdon Hightown 4 pts, 4. Clifton 4 pts, 5. Slough 3 pts, 6. Canterbury 3 pts, 7. Aldridge 0 pts, 8. Chelmsford 0 pts, 9. Liverpool Sefton 0 pts.
