England’s success on the Rugby field did little to distract the top teams in the Women’s Slazenger EHL from getting on with business as usual. The four top teams in the Women’s Premier Division look intent on opening a gap between them and the lesser teams with goals aplenty this afternoon. Leicester, who we featured last Saturday, were up to full strength with the return of Crista Cullen and bettered Chelmsford 5-3, with a goal each from their England contingent - Hannah Macleod, Helen Richardson, Kerry Williams, Crista Cullen, and Anne Panter. The reply came from Chloe Rogers, Rebecca Alltree, and Ciara O’Brien. (Our picture shows Hanah Macleod on the ball during last season’s clash between the two sides). The Tina Cullen Show hosted Old Loughtonians where the star of the show scored a hat-trick in their 6-0 win over the visitors, whilst there was also no shortage of goals at Slough, where the visitors were Ipswich. Final score there: 5-0. Newly promoted Clifton and Poynton had been struggling until today but the outcome of their match against each other leaves Clifton with three points and a hike into 6th place in the table, whilst Poynton remain without a point, as do Olton & West Warwickshire and Old Loughtonians. Today’s results put three teams on maximum points – Bowdon, Slough, and Canterbury – with Leicester bringing up fourth place. Scores in the Women’s Premier today:
Bowdon 6-0 Old Loughtonians
Canterbury 2-1 Olton & W. Warwickshire
Leicester 5-3 Chelmsford
Poynton 0-3 Clifton
Slough 5-0 Ipswich
Reading’s phenomenal success in the Women’s South Division last season looks set to repeat itself in Division One. They beat University of Durham 6-0 at home, with goals from Chiara Clarke (2) Claire Kerr (3) and Jenna Woolven. Sutton Coldfield, who must hold some sort of record for the most promoted/relegated club, notched up their second win of the season by beating Doncaster 4-1, and are in third place behind Sunderland, who could only draw against Barnes. Only Reading are on maximum points, whilst Harleston struggle at the bottom end of the table, still without a point, after their defeat by Loughborough Students.
In the Women’s National North Division, the women from Cannock seem keen on emulating the menfolk. They have a three point lead in the table after their 6-2 win over Sheffield Hallam. In Women’s South Division a top versus bottom clash ended predictably, with Staines overcoming Taunton Vale.
MEN’S NATIONAL NORTH AND SOUTH DIVISIONS
Telford & Wrekin hoisted themselves up the table into fifth when they saw off visiting Barford Tigers 6-2 in the North Division, whilst Leek secured their lead at the top of the table by winning against Sikh Union Nottingham 1-3. There were several high scoring matches in the South Division. Exeter Uni put eight passed Ipswich for a reply of two, Sevenoaks overcame Indian Gymkhana 5-2, and Holcombe were the victors in an 8-1 goal blitz against Teddington, whose season seems to being going from bad to worse.
Holcombe are entertaining Firebrands tomorrow and we hope to bring you a report on that match together with photographs.
FULL LEAGUE TABLES WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OUR MAIN WEBSITE ON MONDAY. GO TO www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk
