The national league bid goodbye this afternoon to Women’s West Conference side Rover Oxford after they failed to win their second match in the relegation play-offs away to Whitley Bay and Tynemouth. Their hopes of survival must have been raised when Emily Court gave them an 11th minute lead but 13 minutes later Liz Perry equalised for the side from the North Conference. Whitley Bay’s Kath Smith then went on to score two from penalty corners in the second half, giving them the 3-1 win.
Whitley Bay now have three points after one game, as have East Conference Sevenoaks, with both sides on a goal difference of +2. They meet next Saturday (2/5//09). The winner of that match will stay in the national league.
There was a similar story further south at Peterborough where City of Peterborough took a 2-0 lead against Firebrands in the men’s relegation play-offs. Both came from penalty corners by Simon Shorter early in the match. Dominic Bowdon scored before the break to reduce the margin to 2-1 and shortly after the restart David Newns equalised. Joe Finding then put the City back in front only to see George Farrant equalise ten minutes later. The winner was scored by Firebrands Tim Lang with 10 minutes left, to give Firebrands a 4-3 win.
Peterborough are now relegated, despite having a game in hand, as Firebrands now head the table with four points. Firebrands play Formby, who have one point, next Saturday. A win by Formby would be enough to allow them to remain in the national league. Anything less would mean their relegation alongside Peterborough
