Today should have seen a full programme of Investec Women's League Conference matches, two men's conference matches, and a number of matches from various national knock out tournaments. But the icy conditions struck again, with a combination of frozen pitches and snow putting pay to all but two matches.
By a stroke of good fortune, TalkHockeyRadio had chosen to visit Havant to see them play Bath Buccaneers in the West Conference this afternoon. The conditions were almost surreal, and had it not been for snow on some long distance lorries travelling on the nearby A27, everyone may have been wondering what the fuss with the weather was about. It was hardly warm, but the temperature managed a steady four degrees for most of the afternoon.
Team Bath Buccaneers enjoyed a four point lead when they arrived at Havant, and the difference in status between the two teams showed, although both teams enjoyed a fair amount of possession. There was some good end to end stuff, but you started to get the impression that neither side wanted to spoil the match with anything as vulgar as a goal. It took the Buccaneers all of 56 minutes to penetrate the Havant defence and find the net, the goal coming from a Johnny Kinder penalty corner conversion.
The Bath side contains two former Havant players, Tom Skinner in goal, and striker Tim Davenport. The latter had thrilled us at Wembley last weekend playing in Beeston colours but he enjoyed less success this afternoon. After Kinder's goal, Davenport found himself unmarked in the 'D' on at least two occasions, with only the goalie to beat, but his scoring touch from only a week ago seemed to have deserted him and he shot wide. At the other end of the pitch Skinner pulled off a super save late in the match to retain Bath's lead.
The final score, 1-0, sees Bath increase their lead at the top of the table to seven points, but they do have a game in hand.
Coincidentally, the only other game today was in a West Conference and involved the leaders. Struggling Trojans played host to Buckingham in the Investec Women's West Conference, a match which Buckingham won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Tracy Jones.
The latest tables are on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk. Pictures of the match between Havant and Team Bath Buccaneers will appear on our HockeyImages web site tomorrow.
