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.
