Picture: Veteran Chelmsford player Lynn Bollington (left) and Chloe Rogers (far right) in their 8-4 win over IpswichThe overnight leaders in the Premier Division of the Women’s Indoor EHL at Whitgift School, Croydon, found themselves being defeated today by a side who started this morning with nil points and a -11 goal difference. Chelmsford, who are propping up the Premier Division outdoors, are reinforced indoors by GB international Chloe Rogers and veteran Chelmsford hand, Lyn Bollington, who came out of retirement to return to playing on the boards. Between them they scored nine goals in their two matches today, giving them six points and knocking Olton & West Warwicks off the top spot. Rogers put Chelmsford two ahead in less than five minutes against Ipswich in their opening match, and four second half goals - three from Rogers and two from Rebecca Altree – gave Chelmsford a well deserved 8-4 win. Ipswich, who were in second place at the start of play this morning, slip to fifth place after this and a draw with Clifton. Rogers also opened the scoring in their match against Olton, going on to score two more to give the Essex side a 4-2 win. Olton’s loss was Slough’s gain, as last season’s champions first beat Liverpool Sefton 5-0 and then Canterbury 4-3 to move into the number one position. It was a disappointing day for Bowdon Hightown, who lost to Olton 4-2. Their later 9-3 demolition of Aldridge was not enough to stop them dropping from third to fourth. Their place is taken by Clifton, who beat Liverpool Sefton 3-1, but could only draw 1-1 against Ipswich. Despite Chelmsford’s six points from today’s matches, they only move from eighth to seventh in the table. The Premier Division resumes in the new year.
Women’s EHL Premier Division after four matches: 1.Slough 9 pts, 2. Olton & WW 9 pts, 3. Clifton 8 pts, 4. Bowdon Hightown 7 pts, 5. Ipswich 7 pts, 6. Canterbury 6 pts, 7. Chelmsford 6 pts, 8. Aldridge 0 pts, 9. Liverpool Sefton 0 pts.
In the Men’s Premier Division, Old Loughtonians maintain a two point lead at the top of the table despite a 7-7 draw against Beeston. Beeston were winning 7-5 with less than a minute left on the clock but last gasp goals from the old boys’ Oliver Didham and James Stedman deprived Beeston of the three points. Loughts later went on to beat last season’s Championships finalists, Loughborough Students, 7-4. East Grinstead executed a 13-0 demolition against Canterbury in their first match of the day, with German international Martin Haner scoring four and Ashley Jackson scoring five. A late comeback from 5-2 down against Reading gave Grinstead a 5-5 draw in their second match. Beeston, who were lying in second place overnight, slipped to fourth after their draw against Loughts and a 9-3 defeat at the hands of Reading.
Men’s EHL Premier Division after four matches: 1. Old Loughtonians 10 pts, 2. East Grinstead 8 pts, 3. Reading 7 pts, 4. Beeston 7 pts, 5. Harleston Magpies 6 pts, 6. Loughborough Students 5 pts, 7. Havant 4 pts, 8. Bournville 3 pts, 9. Canterbury 0 pts.
