A number of interesting results in the Premier Division of the Investec Women's Hockey League failed to bring about any shifts at the top of the table this afternoon.
The most dramatic result was the match between Leicester and Reading, where Katie Long scored a hat trick for Leicester, and new girl Nicola White, and Jo Hunter, added one apiece in their sides 5-0 win. Leicester move up one place to fifth and Reading move down one place to eighth. But otherwise the table remains fairly static.
The major loser from today's matches was Clifton, who slip from fourth to sixth after their match against leaders Canterbury. Clifton opened the scoring with a goal in their own net after only three minutes. Canterbury's own efforts saw goals from Eliza Brett, Sarah Kerly and Lisa Hapke in their 4-2 win.
This season's surprise package, Sutton Coldfield, retain their second place with a win away at Olton and West Warwicks. A seventh minute goal from Olton's Naomi James gave the home side a lead which lasted for all of 37 minutes, but two penalty corner conversions in quick succession from Vicky Woolford, and goals from Jane Sixsmith and Sarah Mills, gave Sutton a 1-4 win. Olton remain in ninth place.
Surbiton are in third place on the same points as Sutton Coldfield. Surbiton managed to score all three goals in their win over University of Birmingham. An own goal by Surbiton was all that the University were able to show in their 1-2 defeat. Slough's woes continue, as they lost 1-4 at home to Bowdon Hightown. Slough are still without a point after six matches.
In the Conferences, the top three in the East remain unchanged after today's matches, with Harleston Magpies one point ahead of Ipswich and Sevenoaks. Old Loughtonian's surrender their fourth place to Wimbledon after losing 2-0 away at Sevenoaks. Leaders in the North, Beeston are on the same points as second placed University of Durham, but this afternoon's 12-0 thrashing of Liverpool Sefton gives them an unassailable goal difference. In the West, Buckingham remains the only side in the League to have a 100% record, after a narrow 1-0 win over Swansea City.
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