Havant recorded their first win since promotion to the Men’s Premier Division in a thirteen goal thriller at Canterbury. Havant opened the scoring with Ben Alberry converting a penalty stroke in the sixth minute, but the visitors soon found themselves trailing after a field goal by Chris Bassano-Harper and a penalty corner conversion by Brian Garcia. Havant were able to restore their lead and went into the half time break 5-3 up with goals by Thornton McDade, Ahmed Ezz Mohamed, and two penalty corner strikes by Callum Giles. Further goals by Ezz Mohamed and Giles gave Havant the 8-5 win, which elevates them to seventh in the table. Fellow new boys Bowdon had less luck at East Grinstead. Grinstead, whose start to the season had been disappointing, put six passed the visitors, with Ben Payne, Darren Cheeseman (3), Danny Hall and Mark Pearn, the scorers. Beeston’s early one goal lead at Surbiton was pulled back in the 57th minute by a brilliant goal by Jimmy Wallis but the Midland’s Tom Sharratt scored twice in the dying minutes to give them the win. Reading remain top of the table on goal difference after their 3-2 win against Loughborough Students. Beeston move into second place.
Final Scores:
Canterbury 5-8 Havant
East Grinstead 6-2 Bowdon
Hampstead & Westminster 0-3 Cannock
Reading 3-2 Loughborough Students
Surbiton 1-3 Beeston
In the Women’s Premier, Tina Cullen has increased her season’s goal tally to seven with a comparatively modest – by her standards – single goal for Bowdon in their 3-1 win at Ipswich. Old Loughtonians, who had shown some promises but had yet to get their season really started, earned their first points against a depleted Canterbury, winning 3-1. Clifton recorded their second win of the season with a 4-1 win at Olton. Two clubs that were particularly likely to feel the impact of extractions, were Leicester and Slough. Alexis Williamson opened the scoring early in the first half for Leicester but Fiona Greenham converted a penalty corner just before half-time. The decider came off the stick of Slough’s Natalie Bell in the last few minutes of the match. As a result of today’s matches Bowdon and Slough stay top separated by goal difference. Old Loughtonian’s win, and Poynton’s 1-1 draw at Chelmsford, mean they move up, leaving Olton in bottom place.
Final Scores:
Chelmsford 1-1 Poynton
Clifton 4 – 1 Olton & West Warwicks
Ipswich 1-3 Bowdon
Leicester 1-2 Slough
Old Loughtonians 3-1 Canterbury.
