Unfortunately we had to keep our report on Sunday’s hockey brief as we were delayed returning to the studio from Old Loughtonians by heavy traffic. Here you will find some additional information about yesterday’s hockey.
WOMEN’S SLAZENGER EHL PREMIER DIVISION TABLE: 1. Bowdon Hightown 45 pts (+44), 2. Olton & West Warwicks 29 pts (+30), 3. Canterbury 28 pts (+20), 4. Leicester 27 pts (+19), 5. Slough 26 pts (+17), 6. Clifton 23 pts (-2), 7. Poynton 15 pts (-15), 8. Trojans 12 pts (-9), 9. Ipswich 5 pts (-36), 10. Chelmsford 4 pts (-68).
Reading in the WOMEN’S EAST CONFERENCE have secured a promotion play-off place after second placed Barnes went down 3-1 to Harleston Magpies. Reading have now opened up a 12 point gap between themselves and Barnes as a result of their 5-0 win over Horsham. Old Loughtonians suffered a surprise setback in their home game against lowly Staines when Alex Stacy put the visitors ahead after only seven minutes, but they came back strongly in the second half, winning the match 3-1.
WOMEN’S EAST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Reading 43 pts (+48), 2. Barnes 31 pts (+9), Old Loughtonians 26 pts (+6).
In the WOMEN’S NORTH CONFERENCE, University of Durham closed the gap between them and leaders, Loughborough Students, with a late penalty corner conversion by Gabrielle Foster. Final score there, 1-0 to Durham. The play off place in this division is now a two-horse race between these two sides, as the gap between Durham and third placed Belper has opened up to 11 points.
WOMEN’S NORTH CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Loughborough Students 38 pts (+36), 2. University of Durham 37 pts (+35), 3. Belper 26 pts (+26).
Leaders in the WOMEN’S WEST CONFERENCE, University of Birmingham, did not play yesterday. They were due to play Aldridge but the match was postponed due to illness. The University’s nearest contenders for a play-off place, Sutton Coldfield, beat Bournmouth 2-1. Theoretically, Cannock are still in with a chance, although their 2-2 draw against Exe puts them out of the running for all practical purposes. It would require Birmingham to lose their last four matches and Cannock to win their remaining three by a hefty margin. Birmingham University have only conceded nine goals all season and have been prolific scorers, which makes their position unassailable for practical purposes by anyone other than Sutton Coldfield.
