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.
