Relegation issues in the men's England Hockey League were still awaiting the outcome of today's matches, with two potential candidates – Southgate and Bowdon – playing each other.
Bowdon's fate was sealed by a Dan Shingles' 46th minute goal away at Southgate, which lifts Southgate out of the relegation area and into eighth place. Bowdon are now automatically relegated. Bowdon's result, plus a 4-3 win against Loughborough Students, means that University of Exeter live to fight another day. They will have to re-qualify for the Premiership via the play-offs. Tom Carson must be a popular man at Exeter, as it was his hat-trick that contributed to their 4-3 win, although three late goals from Loughborough made it a close run thing.
TalkHockeyRadio was at Saint Hill to see East Grinstead play Surbiton. EG were uncatchable at the top of the Premiership, and Surbiton were assured of a place in the Championships, so there was little to be gained by either side from the outcome. Despite this, after a relatively slow start, the match developed into quite a tussle. Surbiton dominated the early encounters with Fergus Dunn scoring in the 15th minute. Barry Middleton equalised 20 minutes into the second half, but a second from Dunn put Surbiton ahead. Mark Cleghorne quickly replied for East Grinstead, but a penalty stroke converted by Tim Pinnock restored Surbiton's lead. We hardly had time to stop clapping before Danny Hall equalised again. This seemed to take the wind out of the visitors' sails and a 64th minute penalty corner conversion from Niall Stott gave the home side a 4-3 win.
Just as a note, we noticed how well mannered Surbiton were in this match, not something we have always been able to say in the past. Keep up the good work boys!
In the midlands, a late David Harris goal for Cannock robbed their visitors, Beeston, of a win, and the match ended 2-2. It was also a 2-2 draw at Hampstead & Westminster, where they were entertaining Reading.
As a result of today's matches, the winners and losers in the Men's Premiership are:
Championship play offs: East Grinstead, Beeston, Reading, Cannock and Surbiton.
Relegation play offs: University of Exeter.
Bowdon: Relegated.
In the Conferences:
North Conference:
Promotion play-offs: Canterbury
Relegation play-offs: Bromley & Beckenham
Relegated: Harleston Magpies
North Conference:
Promotion play-offs: Brooklands
Relegation play-offs: Barford Tigers
Relegated: Deeside Ramblers
West Conference Conference:
Promotion play-offs: Team Bath Buccaneers
Relegation play-offs: Lichfield
Relegated: Bournville
IN THE INVESTEC WOMEN'S CUP SEMI FINALS Surbiton beat Clifton 1-0, with University of Birmingham winning their match against Buckingham 5-0.
IMAGES FROM THE MATCH BETWEEN EAST GRINSTEAD AND SURBITON WILL APPEAR ON OUR PICTURES SITE SOON. Go to www.HockeyImages.co.uk.
