Unlike the top of the men’s Premiership, where five clubs are still in the running to take the title, the Championship of the Slazenger EHL Women’s Premier Division was decided weeks ago. However, there is still the matter of the second European place and, of course, the fight to escape relegation. As of this evening, only two points separate the second, third and fourth placed teams and with, only two matches to play, points have suddenly become more important than ever.
At the basement end of the table, either Ipswich or Chelmsford are certain of relegation, with the team not automatically relegated going into the play-offs. Ipswich helped Canterbury’s chances of a European spot this afternoon by going down 2-0, Canterbury’s goals coming from Jenny Hall and Cindy Botha. Canterbury have had better seasons and only a few weeks ago they were languishing in sixth, but a run of good form and today’s result now sees them in third place. Poynton, who will be amalgamating with Brooklands next season, were awarded two penalty strokes against visiting Chelmsford, both taken by Helen Armishaw. One found the net and the other didn’t. Libby Knifton’s 17th minute goal had given Chelmford a 1-0 lead which lasted about 10 minutes, before Armishaw struck in open play. Her 64th minute penalty stroke then deprived Chelmsford of a possible draw. Final score 2-1 to Poynton.
Clifton’s promise seems to have run its course and they went down to Leicester 3-1 this afternoon. Chloe Rogers (2) and Lauren Turner were the scorers for Clifton. There was a battle royal at Slough where Olton’s Emma Rochlin opened the scoring in less than a minute. Jane Smith came to Slough’s rescue twelve minutes latter, only to see the visitors retake the lead through goals by Holly Chipman and Lucilla Wright. Jane Smith scored her side’s second shortly after, but the teams went into the break with Olton having a 3-2 advantage. Shortly after the re-start Emma McCabe and Naomi James added two more to Olton’s tally. But Slough were not finished by any means. Alex Scott converted a penalty corner to close the gap to two goals and Jane Smith added her third to the scoresheet to reduce the deficit further. Final score 5-4 to Olton.
Oh, and there was also Bowdon Hightown. They maintained their 17 point lead at the top of the Premiership with a 5-0 win over Trojans, the goals coming from Tina Cullen (3), Fay Nash and Sally Walton. They, of course, are already champions.
SLAZENGER WOMEN’S ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: 1. Bowdon Hightown 48 pts (+49), 2. Olton & West Warwicks 32 pts (+31), 3. Canterbury 31 pts (+22), 4. Leicester 30 pts (+21), 5. Slough 26 pts (+16), 6. Clifton 23 pts (-4), 7. Poynton 18 pts (-14), 8. Trojans 12 pts (-14), 9. Ipswich 5 pts (-38), 10. Chelmsford 4 pts (-69).
The WOMEN’S EAST CONFERENCE shows similarities with the Premier Division, inasmuch as Reading are assured of a play-off place by a healthy margin, with a pack of teams following separated by a few points. Reading managed to widen the gap between themselves and Barnes as a result of a 5-1 win over St Albans and Barnes’ defeat at home to Old Loughtonians. Rebecca Hale scored a hat-trick for Loughts but her side almost saw the three points slip away as Triona Doyle scored twice for Barnes in the last ten minutes. Unfortunately, time was against Barnes and Old Loughtonians won the match 3-2. At the other end of the table Maidstone were beaten 5-1 by Southgate and are relegated.
WOMEN’S EAST CONFERENCE TOP THREE: 1. Reading 46 pts (+52), 2. Barnes 31 pts (+8), 3. Old Loughtonians 29 points (+7).
In the WOMEN’S NORTH CONFERENCE the play off place is between Loughborough Students and University of Durham, both of who emerged this afternoon from 5-1 wins. Loughborough’s was against visiting Sunderland, whilst Durham recorded their win against Doncaster. Relegation issues in this division are still unsettled and Ben Rhydding took a small step towards a possible escape with a 1-1 draw against Bradford. They are two points adrift at the bottom of the table behind Whitley Bay (10 pts) and Sunderland (14 pts).
WOMEN’S NORTH CONFERENCE TOP THREE: 1. Loughborough Students 41 pts (+40), 2. University of Durham 40 pts (+39), 3. Belper 29 pts (+11).
The WOMEN’S WEST CONFERENCE has become a two horse race with University of Birmingham four point ahead of Sutton Coldfield. Third place Cannock are five point behind Sutton and are out of the running for promotion. Goals from Jo Turnbull, Sophie Bray and Alys Brooks, gave the University a 3-0 win over Firebrands. Sutton Coldfield went to Swansea and came away 4-2 winners but Swansea’s Angharad Griffiths must be as sick as the proverbial parrot this evening. Swansea were awarded two penalty strokes, both taken by Griffiths, the first of which was saved by Sarah Fellows. The second went wide. As the season draws to a close it looks increasingly like we will be saying goodbye to St Austell. Although theoretically they could avoid automatic relegation, their next matches are against Exe and Sutton Coldfield. They are currently five points adrift at the bottom of the table.
WOMEN’S WEST CONFERENCE TOP THREE: 1. University of Birmingham 41 pts (+79), 2. Sutton Coldfield 37 pts (+26), 3. Cannock 32 pts (+18).
