TalkHockeyRadio was at a very wet Eastleigh this afternoon to watch Trojans play host to Buckingham in the West Conference. Although the torrential rain threatened the start, with pools of water gathering around the pitch, the rain eased sufficiently to avoid a postponement, although it remained a miserable afternoon to play hockey.
Buckingham clearly deserve their massive lead in the Conference – they are 14 points ahead of second placed Isca University – but Trojans made a game of it, which made up for the shocking weather. Former England and GB international Jo Ellis joined Buckingham at the start of this season, and has clearly played a part in their domination of the division, but other players impressed as well, in particular Zoe Shipperly, who made a number of penetrating runs, and scored one of Buckingham's six goals. The result of the match was somewhat academic, as Buckingham had the West championship sewn up weeks ago, but a 2-6 win over an able side like Trojans says much for their quality.
We've commented repeatedly over the last few weeks about how tight the national leagues have been this season, and with only one match left to play, the automatic relegation spot in the West Conference is still being contested. The contenders for either relegation or the relegation play-offs, Taunton Vale and Staines, met this afternoon with Taunton Vale winning only their first match of the season. The 4-2 result means that Staines remain on seven points with Taunton Vale increasing their total to five.
It looks as if Harleston Magpies are a shoe-in for the East Conference championship. Sevenoaks' return to form appears to have been too late. They beat Chelmsford 1-0 this afternoon, but Magpies won their match at Horsham 1-3. Three points separate the two sides, but Magpies' goal difference is +16 as against Sevenoaks' +9. As a fitting finale to the season, the two sides meet next weekend.
Bromley & Beckenham are already relegated, and Chelmsford's defeat at Sevenoaks means they must survive the relegation play-offs to maintain their Investec League status.
The North Conference has issues at top and bottom which still remain undecided. Beeston went to Ben Rhydding and came away with a 1-5 win. Theoretically they could be caught by University of Durham who are in second place and three points behind them. The University beat Liverpool Sefton 0-3 today, but there is a +23 goal difference between them and Beeston. That's an awful lot of goals to make up with only one game to play!
Cannock is currently occupying the automatic relegation spot. If they win next week they could move into ninth place. Unfortunately they will be playing University of Durham. Liverpool Sefton, who are in the relegation play-off position, could still catch either Doncaster or Ben Rhydding on points, but they have an X-rated goal difference (-51) and they are almost certain candidates for the play-offs.
FULL RESULTS AND TABLES ARE ON OUR MAIN WEB SITE AT www.TalkHockeyRadio.co.uk.
PICTURES FROM LAST EVENING'S MATCH BETWEEN HOLCOMBE AND RICHMOND CAN BE FOUND AT www.HockeyImages.co.uk.
The finalists in the Men's Cup will be Hampstead & Westminster and Surbiton. H&W drew 2-2 against Cannock in today's semi finals but won on penalty strokes. Surbiton beat Oxted 6-1.
