Our apologies for this late posting of our round up from Sunday. We are gradually getting back on an even keel after a difficult week.
With the end of the season only four matches away, the clubs are settling in for the run-in, but for some the race is already run. Beeston have had a particularly successful weekend, picking up six points in two matches and building up an astonishing +41 goal difference. Yesterday they beat Loughborough Students 7-4. Now on 37 points, their nearest rivals are Reading (who did not play yesterday) on 22. With only a potential 12 points to be earned, Beeston will top the table and win automatic entry into the Euro Hockey League next season.
East Grinstead were able to recover from their match against Beeston on Saturday to beat Hampstead & Westminster 1-0 yesterday, Mark Pearn being EG's scorer. EG are currently outside the magic top five, but only three points separate them from second place Reading. Cannock and Surbiton played out a 2-2 draw and are the meat in the sandwich between Reading and East Grinstead, both on 21 points.
The bottom of the table meeting between Southgate and Brooklands MU ended 2-4 in Southgate's favour. A single win could see Southgate pull away from the relegation play-off spot, but Brooklands need a few wins in the remaining four games to avoid automatic relegation.
In the East Conference both the leaders tripped up. Wimbledon lead the table on 29 points, separated on goal difference from second placed Holcombe. Wimbledon went down 0-1 to Indian Gymkhana, whilst Holcombe succumbed to City of Peterborough 3-1. Both are eight points clear of third place Oxted.
In the North, Sheffield Hallam played on Saturday, whilst Bowdon met Olton & West Warwicks yesterday, winning 4-3. Bowdon currently lead the table on 35 points, two ahead of Sheffield Hallam. Third place University of Durham are nine points adrift of Sheffield.
In the West Conference, Guildford have managed to open up a small gap at the top of the table. They beat Firebrands 5-3, leaving the Bristol club relegated with only one point. Guildford were assisted by second place University of Exeter, who could only draw 3-3 against Bath Buccaneers. Cardiff and UWIC joined Exeter on 28 points after a 1-5 win away at Fareham.
Leicester's women are relegated in the European Indoor Clubs Cup. They had a winless weekend and finished in bottom place. Reading, who are England's qualifiers for next year's competition, will play in the Indoor Clubs Trophy.
