BOWDON AND OLTON SHAKE OUT WINTER COBWEBS

If there were any sides that needed the Christmas / New Year cobwebs shaken out of them it was not Bowdon Hightown or Olton & West Warwicks. Last season Bowdon had faded after the break, but they sent out a signal this afternoon that they were not going to repeat last year’s disappointment by thrashing Poynton 8-0. The goals came from Tina Cullen (4), Julie Hope (2), Charlotte Hartley and Sally Walton. Bowdon maintain their nine point lead at the head of the Women’s Premiership, with second placed Olton outdoing them for the number of goals scored. Olton’s victims were bottom place Chelmsford, who found themselves on the wrong end of a 12-0 drubbing, with no less than seven of the Olton side getting themselves on the scoresheet – Rachel Walker (3), Denise Marston-Smith (4), Lucilla Wright, Kerry Thompson-Moore, Holly Chipman, Naomi James and Emma Mccabe. Leicester, whose results this season have not really lived up to their promise, moved from fifth to fourth place after a very useful win over Canterbury, with goals from Anne Panter (2) and Katie Long for no reply. Slough keep in contention for a runner-up place with a 2-1 win over Trojans, Jane Smith and Lauren Penny the scorers of the Slough goals. Clifton added to Ipswich’s problems by beating them 3-1, Clifton’s goals coming from Fleur Horner, Sandrea Frankland and Carla Dunnett.

In the Women’s Conferences, Loughborough Students now have a 13 point lead in the North after their 4-0 win at Ben Rhydding, although second place University of Durham, have three games in hand. They won 2-0 at Belper. In the West, the University of Birmingham won their match at Exe 5-0. East Conference Reading stay in first place, four points ahead of Barnes. Both won today, with Reading putting four passed Sevenoaks for no reply and Barnes seeing off Horsham 2-0.

Full league tables can be viewed by going to the EHL pages of the Information pages on our web site, www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk. You will also be able to track the progress of your favourite club with our new progress tables

KEEPERS NET TOP AWARD

Great Britain's two goalkeepers at the Beijing Olympics received the Hockey Writers' Club UK Player of the Year Award at a lunch and ceremony in London this afternoon. Beth Storry took the women's award with Crista Cullen and Sarah Thomas runners-up. The men's award went to Alistair McGregor. Runners up were Ashley Jackson and Barry Middleton. The presentations were made by Lord Moynihan, Chairman of the British Olympic Association.

Three other presentations were made at the ceremony. Chris Pickett, the England and GB Women's Manager who retired just after the Beijing Olympics, received the Friskin Award for outstanding services to UK hockey. The Award is sponsored by The Times and is made in honour of the late Sydney Friskin, who for many years was their hockey correspondent. The Award was presented by David Chappell, manager editor of The Times, and Neil Friskin. The Higgins Youth Awards, sponsored by the Higgins Group, went to Belper's Alice Sharp and Beeston's Ben Arnold. The Higgins Awards are made in memory of the late Derek Higgins, a great benefactor of hockey.

NO REPEAT OF LAST YEAR FOR EAST GRINSTEAD AND BOWDON by Peter Savage at the NIA

The men’s final in the National Indoor Championships at the NIA in Birmingham provided a classic tussle between the old masters of the indoor game and a side whose pre-eminence outdoors has not really been matched indoors in recent years. East Grinstead have appeared in every final at the NIA but, despite winning the first, they have been pipped at the post in the last two years outings, and in results which have overturned the form book. History looked ready to repeat itself, as they did a fairly effective job against Loughborough Students in the semi final, winning 6-3, but then appearing to falter in the final against Reading. Undoubtedly the player of the final was Simon Mantell, back for the indoor season from his Dutch club, HGC, who on no less than three occasions gave Reading the lead. It was Simon Mantell who opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Grinstead’s German international, Martin Haner soon equalised but Mantell then scored again to retore the Reading lead. Fellow HGC exile, Ashley Jackson, netted the ball for EG to put the score at 2-2. Shortly before half time Mantell scored his hat-trick but again EG managed to equalise, this time from a Scott Ashdown penalty corner. After the re-start it all seemed to fall apart for East Grinstead as Simon Mantell scored his fourth and fifth. The Grinners looked dead in the water until Jackson scored his second and they seemed to come alive. Two penalty corners later, both scored by Haner, East Grinstead had established a narrow 6-5 lead. As the seconds ticked away towards the final hooter, Reading took the risky decision to take Nick Brothers in goal off and replace him with a kicking back. It turned out to be a fatal mistake, with Scott Ashdown delivering the coup de grace, twice walking the ball into the net. Final score 8-5 to Grinstead. East Grinstead will now return to Europe, where two years ago they won promotion for England to the ‘A’ division of European indoor competition, only to see English clubs relegated a year later.

Since the 1995/1996 season only two clubs have ever won the women’s championship, Slough and Chelmsford, Slough winning on 10 of those occasions, including 2007 and 2008. Their opponents in the final. Bowdon Hightown, are the side they beat in the final in the last two years. Although it would be unfair to describe it as a one-sided affair, Bowdon looked much the better of the two sides, going into half-time 3-0 ahead though goals from Tina Cullen, Michelle Liptrop and Sally Walton. Steffi Cordier pulled one back for Slough in the second half but Tina Cullen scored her second to re-establish the margin. Ashleigh Ball, herself a former Bowdon player, scored what could not be seen as more than a consolation goal in the final two minutes. Final score 4-2 to Bowdon Hightown.

Our pictures show Bowdon Hightown skipper Sally Walton with manager Dieter Hill and East Grinstead captain Scott Ashdown with the winner's cup.

RESULTS FROM THE NIA IN FULL:

Boys’ Under 16 Final: Whitgift School 8 Ipswich School 6.
Girls’ Under 16 Final: Harleston Magpies 4 Horsham 1.
Boys’ Under 18 Final: Ipswich School 3 The Perse School 5.
Girls’ Under 18 Final: Trojans 0 Belper 4.

WOMEN’S INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Semi Finals:
Canterbury 3 (Mel Clewlow, Cathy Gilliat-Smith, Lisa Hapke), Bowdon Hightown 4 (Tina Cullen [2], Nicky O’Donnell [2])
Slough 6 (Jane Smith [3], Alex Scott[3]), Olton & WW 3 [Rachel Walker, Emma McCabe, Denise Marston Smith)

Final: Bowdon Hightown 4 (Tina Cullen [2], Michelle Liptrot, Sally Walton), Slough 2 (Steffi Cordier, Ashleigh Ball).

MEN’S INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Semi Finals:
East Grinstead 6 (Martin Haner [2], Glenn Kirkham, Ashley Jackson, Scott Ashdown, Mark Pearn), Loughborough Students 3 (Carl Smith, Richard Smith [2]).
Reading 4 (Simon Pinks[2], Austin Smith, Simon Mantell), Old Loughtonians 3 (James Stedman [2], Oliver Didham).

Final:
East Grinstead: 8 (Martin Haner [3], Ashley Jackson [2], Scott Ashdown [3], Reading 5 (Simon Mantell [5]).

EHL Matches Played Today

There were two matches in the Slazenger League today, although the full league programme does not re-start until next weekend. In the Men's Conference North, University of Durham assume a three-point lead over Belper after a 4-1 win over Sheffield University Bankers, although both Belper and third-place Brooklands have a game in hand. In the Women's Conference North, Loughborough Students are a bit ahead of themselves, having played their tenth match of the season this afternoon. Sarah Mills was the only scorer in their 1-0 defeat of Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, which extends their lead at the top of the table. With the exception of their opponents today, all other teams in the division have games in hand, in some cases three, but the Student's ten point buffer confirms them as true leaders.

BOWDON TO HOST WOMEN'S EURO CUP

The European Hockey Federation has named Bowdon Hightown as the host club for the 2009 Women's EuroHockey Cup Winner's Cup to be held over the Easter weekend. Bowdon qualified for the tournament by virtue of finishing second in the Premier League in the 2007-2008 season. Also taking part are Rot-Weiss Koln (Germany), Bonagrass Grove (Scotland), Club de Campo (Spain), Lorenzoni (Italy), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Kolos Borispol (Ukraine) and Royal Uccle (Belgium).

A similar tournament for men was discontinued at the end of the 2006-2007 season and was replaced by the EuroHockey League.

TalkHockeyRadio has been pleased to support Bowdon Hightown ahead of this announcement by the supply of hockey images.

BRAY'S GOLDEN GOAL GIVES GREAT BRITAIN GOLD

For the second year in succession, Great Britain's women have won gold against Australia in the Australian Youth Olympics in Sydney. GB went into the second half 1-0 down and so remained the score until the last two minutes. Sarah Page then equalised for GB only to see Australia re-take the lead seconds later. With less than minute remaining, Harriet Pearce scored an equaliser forcing the match into golden goal extra time. It was Sophie Bray who gave GB victory with a goal in open play after seven minutes of extra time. Final score 3-2 to GB.

Goals from Kenny Bain (PS), Martin Scanlon, Chris Gregg (2) and Simon Faulkner, gave GB a 5-2 win and the bronze medal in their match against Malaysia in the men's tournament.

LEICESTER RETURN TO THE BIG TIME

Leicester women return to the Premier Division, from which they were relegated in 2007, after the final day of action in the Women’s Indoor EHL Division One at Eastleigh. They are joined by Trojans who finished runners-up. But it was not an easy day for either of the sides. Reading, who were in with a promotion chance, put up a strong fight against Leicester, with Claire Kerr giving them a second minute lead. Lucy Brown equalised for Leicester but Reading went into the second half 2-1 up. Second half goals from penalty corners from Hannah Smith and Kerry Williams eventually gave Leicester a 3-2 win. Bradford Wakefield’s motivation may have come from the fact that they were teetering on the edge of the relegation zone but they also made Leicester work hard for their 3-1 win. The goals came from Leicester’s Hannah MacCleod, Kerry Williams and Lucy Brown. Bradford managed a consolation gaol off the stick of Susie Petty in the dying seconds.

Our picture shows Leicester's Kerry Williams receiving the winner's salver from Tournament Director Karen Daffey.

Trojans had been 3-1 up against Sutton Coldfield thanks to goals from Pia Grambusch, Jojo Davies and Steph Farmer, a lead which they managed to increase to 4-1 shortly after the re-start after Farmer scored her second. But Celia Butler replied twice in two minutes to reduce the margin to one. A goal apiece in the last two minutes from Trojans Pia Grambusch and Sutton Coldfield’s Jenny Parkinson, left the final score at a nail-bittingly 5-4.

Harrow and Beeston are both relegated to Division Two next season, although the last day performance of both side’s belied their relegation status. Beeston beat Barnes Hounlow Ealing 4-3 and then went down to a narrow 4-3 defeat to Sevenoaks.

WOMEN’S INDOOR EHL DIVISION ONE. Final table:
1. Leicester 22 pts (+16)
2. Trojans 20 pts (+18)
3. Sutton Coldfield 15 pts (+15)
4. Sevenoaks 14 pts (+5)
5. Reading 13 pts (+15)
6. Bradford Wakefield 7 pts (-10)
7. Barnes Hounslow Ealing 6 pts (-11)
8. Harrow 4 pts (-16)
9. Beeston 3 pts (-32)

Photographs from today’s matches will appear on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk.

Women’s Division Two was won by Harleston Magpies with Old Louhgtonians runners-up.

Surbiton took the Men’s Division One title in style, storming passed Kingston-upon-Hull 8-0 and Barford Tigers 7-4. For those who like their indoor hockey taken with a pinch of nostalgia, next year will see the resumption of the old rivalry between East Grinstead and St Albans. St Albans, who were relegated from the Premier Division in 2006, return to the top flight after having taken the runners-up place in Division One. They finished off their campaign today with a 3-3 draw against Bowdon and a 9-3 win over Robinsons.

MEN’S INDOOR EHL DIVISION ONE. Final table:
1. Surbiton 22 pts (+40)
2. St Albans 17 pts (+18)
3. Doncaster 16 pts (+15)
4. Bowdon 14 pts (+3)
5. Stourport 10 pts (-16)
6. Barford Tigers 9 pts (-13)
7. Team Bath Buccaneers 7 pts (-3)
8. Robinsons (-27)
9. Kingston-upon-Hull (-17)

It was a long day in Division Two as they caught up with the unplayed matches from yesterday. Maidstone emerged as winners with Holcombe in the runners-up place.

SURBITON AND LEICESTER LOOK LIKE INDOOR PROMOTION PROSPECTS

Tomorrow (Sunday) sees the final day of the Indoor EHL, with today’s matches given some ideas as to possible promotion and relegation prospects.

In Men’s Division One, Surbiton currently lead the table on 16 points after wins over Doncaster (7-2) and Bowdon (6-2) today. Despite the defeat at the hands of Surbiton, Doncaster are in second place on 15 points. St Albans, with a long and distinguished indoor career behind them, recorded two wins today, first against Barford Tigers (8-3) and the other against Bath Buccaneers. They are now in third place with 13 points.

Men’s Division One overnight positions are: 1. Surbiton, 2. Doncaster, 3. At Albans, 4. Bowdon, 5. Barford Tigers, 6. Stourport, 7. Team Bath Buccaneers, 8. Robinsons, 9. Kingston-upon-Hull.

There was a delay to the start of proceedings in Men’s Division One which means that each team has only played one match. The unplayed matches have been moved over until tomorrow.

In Women’s Division One, Leicester are on 16 points after wins against Barnes (7-2) and Harrow (2-1). Trojans are in second place on 14 points after beating Beeston (5-1) and Bradford Wakefield (6-2). Reading and Sutton Coldfield are each on 12 points, separated by goal difference.

Women’s Division One overnight positions are: 1. Leicester, 2. Trojans, 3. Reading, 4. Sutton Coldfield, 5. Sevenoaks, 6. Barnes Hounslow Ealing, 7. Bradford Wakefield, 8. Harrow, 9. Beeston.

Women’s Division Two is currently being led by Belper and East Grinstead, both on six points, but with Belper having the better goal difference.

AUSTRALIA WIN BRACE AGAINST GB IN SYDNEY

Both Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams suffered defeats against Australia in the last of the pool matches in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney earlier today.

In the men’s match Australia took the lead late in the first half and GB went into the break 1-0 down. Kelburne’s Kenny Bain managed to equalise from a penalty corner four minutes after the restart, but it was not long before Australia re-gained their lead. Bain re-ignited GB’s hopes with an equaliser from open play but the Australian’s had the last word with a Toby West penalty corner conversion. Final score 3-2 to Australia. GB’s men now meet Malaysia in the 3rd/4th place match tomorrow (Sunday).

GB women already had their place in the final against Australia booked before today, so the meeting of the two sides was something of a formality. Canterbury’s Jenny Hall started the scoring with an early goal from open play only to see her goal cancelled out later in the half. Australia briefly took the lead before Georgie Twigg equalised just before the half-time whistle. Going into the second half at 2-2, two late second-half penalty corners put pay to any chance of a GB draw. Final score 4-2 to Australia. The two teams meet again in the final tomorrow.

ENGLAND’S WOMEN PLAYED SPAIN in the last of a three match series yesterday, Holly Cram scored England’s only goal in a 1-1 draw.

GREAT BRITAIN'S WOMEN GUARANTEED FINAL PLACE - SUE CATTON GETS TOP OLYMPIC JOB

Great Britain’s men went down to a crushing defeat to India in the Australian Youth Olympics in Sydney yesterday (Thursday). Nick Catlin’s 65th minutes goal was all they had to show for a match which saw three goals from India in each half. Final score 6-1 to India. Despite this setback, GB still have a slim chance of qualifying for Sunday’s final. They meet Australia in the last of their pool matches tomorrow.

The women had more fortune against the USA. In baking temperatures, goals from Sophie Bray and Jenny Hall took GB into the second half with a 2-0 advantage. Nicola White reopened the scoring shortly after the restart with Jenny Hall netting her second from a penalty corner later in the half. Final score 4-1 to GB. GB women play their final pool match against Australia tomorrow (Saturday). With both sides with two wins to their credit, both are guaranteed a place in the final on Sunday, irrespective of the outcome of the pool game.

SUE CATTON HAS BEEN APPOINTED HOCKEY AND WHEELCHAIR RUGBY MANAGER for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. Sue, who is a non-executive director of England Hockey, will be responsible for overseeing of all aspects of the Hockey and Wheelchair Rugby events at the London Games and to be the focal point for liaison with the international sports federations.

IT'S A WIN DRAW SITUATION FOR GB IN AUSTRALIA

Clifton’s Dilly Newton led the charge as the women’s team representing Great Britain started their campaign in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney. Playing India, GB went into the second half 1-0 down after India had scored in the 13th minute. Newton converted a penalty corner five minutes into the second half and made it two 20 minutes later. Sophie Bray (pictured) scored in the dying moments of the game to give Great Britain a 3-1 win.

Team: Laura Bartlett, Sophie Bray, Susie Gilbert, Jenny Hall, Maddie Hinch, Dilly Newton, Harriet Pearce, Lauren Turner, Laura Unsworth, Becky Ward, Nicky White, Takara Haines, Katie Long, Sarah Page, Georgie Twigg and Hollie Webb.

For the men, playing Malaysia, it was Great Britain who first took the lead with a Martin Scanlon field goal. But GB were not to find the net again until the last six minutes, by which time the score was 3-1 in Malaysia’s favour. Kenny Bain converted a penalty stroke only to see Gaffar put in a fourth for the Malaysians. Gordon McIntyre scored from a penalty corner with three minute of play remaining and Lewis Prosser equalised for GB in the final seconds. Final score 4-4.

Team: Ben Arnold, Kenny Bain, Nick Catlin, Dacid Condon, Richie Dawson-Smith, Marc Edwards, Chris Gregg, Johnny Kinder, Gordon McIntyre, Lewis Prosser, Ian Scanlon, David Beckett, Simon Faulkner, Martin Scanlon, Ross Stott and Henry Weir.

ENGLAND’S WOMEN PLAYED THE SECOND of a three match series against Spain today. Goals in each half, the first by Carys Hopkins and the second by Holly Cram, gave England a 2-2 draw. They play their final match against Spain on Friday.

BRIGHT START BUT DULL FINISH IN SPAIN

Great Britain's women played the first of a three match series against Spain this afternoon. Fielding a largely experimental side, Danny Kerry's women got off to a bright start after Rebecca Herbert found the net within the first three minutes. But this was to be GB's one and only goal of the match. A 16th minute field goal and an overtime penalty corner took GB into the second half 2-1 down and a second half goal sealed the match for the Spanish. Final score 3-1 to Spain:

GB Team: Ashleigh Ball, Hayley Brown, Holly Cram, Harriet Cunningham, Gemma Darrington, Beckie Herbert, Carys Hopkins, Nikki KIdd, Kirsty Mackay, Emily Maguire, Louise Munn, Anne Panter, Chloe Rogers, Natalie Seymour, Chloe Strong, and Kerry Williams.

GB's next match against Spain in tomorrow (Wednesday).

EAST GRINSTEAD WIN INDOOR LEAGUE

East Grinstead have won the Premier Division of the Indoor EHL after two wins today gave them a one point lead at the top of the table. But they did not have everything their own way. After a convincing 9-3 win over Bournville, they faced Old Loughtonians in the penultimate match of the day. Grinstead went into the break 4-5 down, thanks in part to some clinical penalty corner striking by the old boys’ Liam Doidge. Two second half goals by German international Martin Hamer, to add to three in the first half, plus a goal by Dave Deprez and brace by Ashley Jackson, enabled East Grinstead to catch and overtake their opponents, the match ending 9-7. Old Loughtonians finish in third place, winning their other match of the day, against Bournville, 4-1.
Reading finished in second place but they also had a scare on their way. They had a narrow 4-3 win against Loughborough Students but matters looked very interesting as Harleston Magpies started to haul in Reading’ lead in their second match of the day. Three goals in the last two minutes – two by Andy Hipwell and one by Andrew Bedwell – threatened Reading’s chances but the final hooter went at 9-8 to Reading. Loughborough Students won their match against the Magpies 3-1 and secured fourth place and a ticket to the National Indoor Championships on the 25th January.

So, the following qualify for the National Indoor Championships: East Grinstead, Reading, Old Loughtonians and Loughborough Students.

In the Women’s Premier, Canterbury managed to climb six places over the weekend to take the title, sharing eighteen points with Slough and Olton & West Warwicks, both of who they beat on goal difference. The fourth place went to Bowdon Hightown.

Pictures from the Men’s Premier Indoor EHL will appear on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk in the next couple of days.

GRINSTEAD HOLD OVERNIGHT LEAD INDOORS

Today saw action in the Indoor EHL Premier Divisions and Divisions One.

The Premier Divisions are now in their second weekend of action and tomorrow’s results will finally determine the four qualifiers for the National Indoor Finals in Birmingham in three weeks time. In the Men’s Premier, two convincing wins by East Grinstead, the first a 7-5 win over Beeston, followed by a 13-6 win over Harleston Magpies, moves them up one place into the top spot, whilst this morning leaders, Old Loughtonians, slip back to fourth. The old boys had a comparatively lean day after first drawing against Havant 5-5 and then going down 6-2 to Reading. Last year’s winners at the NIA, Loughborough Students, who started the weekend in sixth place, move up to third after a 7-2 win over Bournville and a 5-4 win over Beeston.

The overnight positions of the Men’s Premier are: 1. East Grinstead, 2. Reading, 3. Loughborough Students, 4. Old Loughtonians, 5. Havant, 6. Beeston, 7. Bournville, 8. Harleston Magpies, 9. Canterbury.

There was less movement in the Women’s Premier, although Canterbury managed to climb up to third thanks to a fruitful day, with convincing wins against Liverpool Sefton (7-3) and Bowdon Hightown (6-4). Canterbury have displaced Clifton from the top four, the Bristol side having slid from third to seventh by virtue of a 3-2 defeat against Chelmsford and a 5-1 defeat against Slough.

The overnight positions in the Women’s Premier are: 1. Olton & West Warwicks, 2. Slough, 3. Canterbury, 4. Bowdon Hightown, 5. Ipswich, 6. Chelmsford, 7. Clifton, 8. Aldridge, 9. Liverpool Sefton.

The Division Ones are in their first weekend, with the overnight leaders in the Men’s Division One being Surbiton, who lead on goal difference. St Albans and Doncaster are also on maximum points. In Women’s Division One, Bradford and Leicester lead the table on maximum points, with Bradford having the advantage on goal difference.

LEOPARDS TAKE WASA CUP

Wessex Leopards scored two stunning victories today (Sunday) to take the WASA Cup in Denmark. Playing in the women’s semi-final, they overcame Sweden 8-2 with goals from Beckie Herbert (3), Ashleigh Ball (2), Jo Ellius, Abi Harper and Kerry Williams. They went on to meet Denmark in the final, beating them 7-3. Leopard’s scorers were Kerry Williams, Abi Harper (2), Sally Walton and Joe Ellis.

Saxon Tigers found themselves at the basement end of the men’s tournament but avoided the wooden spoon with a 5-4 win over Denmark. Ashley Jackon and Simon Mantell each scored a brace with Harry Jawanda making up the fifth. Pennine Pumas did slightly better, with a 7-5 win over Scot’s club side Menzieshill, to give them fifth place in the tournament. Pumas’ scorers were Richard Alexander (2), Carl Smith, Richard Mantell, Sam Fox, Ali Wilson and Richard Egerton. The men’s cup was won by Dynamo Electrosal who beat Havestuder 4-3 in the final.

In the Indoor England Hockey League the North and South Divisions Two played their final matches today. In the men’s North, Cannock finished the group on maximum points, with University of Exeter finishing second. The two Sheffield sides, Sheffield University Bankers and Sheffield Hallam, both finished the day on six points but a far superior goal difference gave the Bankers third place. Cannock, Exeter University and Sheffield University Bankers now go on to join up with the top three teams from Division Two South to form the combined Division Two. Holcombe took the top place in the South, followed by Southgate and Maidstone.

It was a double for Cannock with their women taking the top spot in Women’s Division Two North, with Belper and Birmingham University taking the other two places. They will be joined in the combined Division Two by Harleston Magpies, Old Loughtonians and East Grinstead.

MIXED RESULTS INDOORS IN WASA CUP

It was a day of mixed results for the English teams playing in the second day of the WASA Cup in Denmark today (Saturday). Saxon Tigers went down 3-5 to Sweden, the Tigers’ goals coming from Ashley Jackson, Harry Jawanda and Simon Mantell. Tigers then went down to German club side, Harvestuder 3-6, the with Jackson (2) and Simon Mantell again on the scoresheet. The women had more luck, with Wessex Leopards recording a 0-0 score against Sweden and then beating Denmark 5-2, with goals from Ashleigh Ball (2), Beckie Herbert, Sally Walton and Jo Ellis.

Yesterday, the other English men’s team in the tournament, Pennine Pumas, had lost 8-5 to host club Orient Lyngby before going on to a second defeat against the Russians from Dinamo Electrostal, losing by 8-4. Saxon Tigers played one match yesterday, against Denmark, which they won 10-6, with the goals coming from Ashley Jackson (4), Gareth Andrew (3), Simon Mantell (2) and Harry Jawanda. Wessex Leopards women also played Denmark, recording a 6-2 win, with the goals coming from Abi Harper (2), Jo Ellis. Kerry Williams, Ashleigh Ball and Sally Walton.

Returning to today’s events, the Pumas and the Tigers played each other today, with the Pumas having the better of a 7-4 result.

In the Indoor EHL, Division Two played their first matches today. The North men’s table is currently led by Cannock and University of Exeter, both on six points, whilst in the South, Southgate and Holcombe share the honours on six points. In women’s North, no side has a 100% record but Lansdown currently lead the table on four points. In the South Harleston Magpies, East Grinstead and Old Loughtonians are all on maximum points.