It was all change near the bottom of the Investec Women's League Premier Division this afternoon after two Tina Cullen goals gave Bowdon Hightown a timely leg-up the table. Bowdon had slumped to the relegation play-off spot last weekend but today's 2-0 win over Clifton moves them into seventh place.
Bowdon's promotion was at the expense of University of Birmingham, who lost 1-3 at home to Reading, and now occupy the play-off spot. Slough also move down one place after drawing 1-1 at home to Canterbury.
Leicester remain seven points behind the leaders, Reading. Leicester's 3-1 win over Sutton Coldfield saw their England players to the fore, with Hannah Macleod finding the net twice and a goal from Crista Cullen. But the big scorers today were Olton & West Warwicks who put seven past bottom placed Cannock for no reply, four of Olton's goals coming from penalty corners.
In the East Conference, Surbiton and St Albans are the teams to catch, both winning today. Sevenoaks slipped away from contention by losing 4-2 away at Chelmsford. The gap between them and second place St Albans opens up to five points.
In the North Conference Beeston consolidated their lead by beating one of the challengers, Brooklands Poynton. The score there 5-1. Loughborough Students are chasing hard, and now move into second place after beating Wakefield Bradford 1-0. Only three points now separate Beeston, Loughborough Students and Wakefield Bradford.
In the West Conference a 10 point gap has opened up between second place Swansea and third place Barnes Hounslow Ealing. Only six points separate the third and bottom placed sides in this division, which had resulted in at least one dramatic change in the table this afternoon. Barnes Hounslow Ealing is promoted from sixth to third as a result of a 4-2 win over Exe. Leaders, Buckingham remain unbeaten and won against Team Bath Buccaneers 2-0 today. Swansea keep in touch with the leader with a 2-1 win over Trojans.
Full scores and tables are available on our main web site at http://www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk/page51.html.
