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With only four more matches left to play and a lead over the second place club of 14 points, Bowdon Hightown took the Women’s Slazenger EHL Premier Division championship this afternoon with a 3-0 win over Clifton. Jo Ellis’s (pictured) goal famine seems to have turned into a goal feast, with her hat-trick adding to her recent tally for Bowdon. Her side were given a leg up by Olton and West Warwicks whose failure to earn three points at Leicester finally clinched it for Bowdon.Canterbury were heading for a 1-1 draw at home to Poynton when their Susie Rowe equalised from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, cancelling out Helen Armishaw’s third minute goal for Poynton. But a penalty corner conversion by Sarah Newman in the last two minutes gave Poynton the three points. Chelmsford’s first win of the season last weekend was not a result that was repeated. Fresh back from European indoor hockey in Madrid, Slough overcame Chelmsford 3-1. Trojans, who had been Chelmsford’s victims last week, recorded only their third win of the season by beating Ipswich 2-1.
It would have taken a miracle for Olton & West Warwicks to catch Bowdon, but miracles were not on the cards when they visited Leicester. Chloe Rogers scored for the home side shortly before the break but Abigail Fitzgerald equalised just after the restart. With no further score in the match it ended 1-1. Olton need to look over their shoulder as Leicester close the gap between them to one point.
SLAZENGER WOMEN’S ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGE PREMIER DIVISION: 1. Bowdon Hightown 42 pts (+42), 2. Olton & West Warwickshire 28 pts (+30), 3. Leicester 27 pts (+21), 4. Slough 22 pts (+15), 5. Canterbury 22 pts (+14), 6. Clifton 22 pts (-2), 7. Poynton 13 pts (-15), 8. Trojans 11 pts (-9), 9. Ipswich 5 pts (-33), 10. Chelmsford 4 pts (-63). Slough have two games in hand. Canterbury and Poynton have one game in hand.
In the East Conference the top the table clash between Reading and Barnes was decided in Reading’s favour with goals from Vicky Bryant and Laura Puddle. Final score there, 2-0 to Reading. Third place Southgate slipped up at St Albans, going down 2-0.
EAST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Reading 40 pts (+43), 2. Barnes 31 pts (+11), 3. Southgate 25 pts (+9), 4. Old Loughtonians 23 pts (+4).
The West Women’s Conference also saw a top of the table clash as University of Birmingham played host to Sutton Coldfield. Goals from Sophie Bray, Jo Turnbull, Alys Brooks and Susie Gilbert gave the students the 4-1 win and extends their lead to seven points. Cannock are three points behind Sutton after their 1-0 win away at Swansea.
WEST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. University of Birmingham 38 pts (+76), 2. Sutton Coldfield 31 pts (+23), 3. Cannock 28 pts (+15).
In the North Conference, Loughborough Students maintain their lead with a 4-0 win over Doncaster. University of Durham, who are four points behind the leaders picked off lowly Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 4-0.
NORTH CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Loughborough Students 38 pts (+37), 2. University of Durham 34 pts (+34).
TRADITIONALLY INCONSISTENT BEESTON took a notable scalp this afternoon playing their re-arranged match against Men’s Premiership leaders Reading. All the goals came in the second half, with Beeston’s Ben Arnold, Mohammed Nadeem and Wayne Rowland finding the net in their 3-0 win. Also on target was East Grinstead’s German international Martin Haner, who scored four of his sides five goals in their 5-4 win over Loughborough Students, although the issue was finally settled by Mark Pearn’s 62 minute winner from a penalty corner.
