SOUTHGATE PROMOTED - CANTERBURY RELEGATED

It has been amazingly tight at the top of Slazenger EHL Division One and this afternoon the four top clubs were in action against each other. The promotion issue was decided when leaders Southgate went to Old Georgians. A 2-1 win, with goals from Southgate’s Jordache Rawson and Rick Gay, was enough to secure Premiership hockey for the North London side next season. This leaves the play-off spot still in contention. Old Loughtonians, who this morning were three points adrift of the top, had to be content with a goalless draw against fourth placed Brooklands. Team Bath Buccaneers came out the winner by the odd goal in a nine goal encounter with Belper. Ironically, the match which will probably decide who gets the play off spot will be next weekend’s meeting between Southgate and Old Loughtonians.

Men’s Division One leaders: 1^st Southgate (promoted) 41 pts (+35), 2^nd Old Loughtonians 36 pts (+28), 3^rd Brooklands MU 35 pts (+17), 4^th Old Georgians 34 pts (+27), 5^th Team Bath Buccaneers 33 pts (+26).

In the Men’s Premier Division champions Reading beat Beeston 7-5. One of the surprise results of the day was Cannock going down 3-2 to Surbiton, with James Wallis, Andrew Sheridan and Tim Pinnock being Surbiton’s scorers. Canterbury ended their season on a sad note. Their 8-1 defeat at the hands of East Grinstead finally condemns them to relegation. Canterbury’s loss was Hampstead and Westminster’s gain. They have the lifeline of a play-off place. They managed a 1-1 draw against Loughborough Students. The two new clubs to the Premiership played their penultimate match of the season against each other, with Bowdon emerging the 5-2 winners.

PREMIER DIVISION FOR TRIUPHANT TROJANS

With one more weekend of play left in the Slazenger England Hockey League, more promotion and relegation issues have been decided today (Saturday). TalkHockeyRadio was at Eastleigh to see Trojans take the Women’s Division One title against promotion rivals, Sunderland. Trojans were the only serious contenders in the match match but it took until the third minute of second half before Amy Sheehan scored the only goal of the match to give Trojans three points and promotion. Third placed Reading secured themselves a potential play-off place with a 2-0 win over Barnes HE. Both Reading and Sunderland have tough matches next weekend with the play-off place dependent on the outcome.

Division One leaders with one game left to play: 1^st (promoted) Trojans 40 pts (+26), 2^nd Sunderland 35 pts (+17), 3^rd Reading 33 pts (+21).

As luck would have it the four bottom teams in the Women’s Premier Division met this afternoon. Old Loughtonians drew 1-1 at Poynton and are relegated. Ipswich’s visit to Chelmsford resulted in a 0-0 draw. As if it had been scripted, the fate of Chelmsford and Poynton will be decided next Saturday when the sides meet. With equal goal difference, a win for Poynton could result in Chelmsford having to go to the play-offs to maintain their Premiership status.

Other results in the Premier Division: Bowdon Hightown 2 Canterbury 1, Clifton 5 Slough 4, Leicester 4 Olton 1.

Premier Division bottom three with one more game left to play: 8^th Chelmsford 15 pts (-19), 9^th Poynton 12 pts (-19), 10^th (relegated) Old Loughtonians 7 pts 9 (-43).

In Women’s National North, the remaining issue to be decided went against Cambridge City when they lost 5-4 against Nottingham Highfields and they are now relegated. Sheffield Hallam slipped back into the relegation play-off spot after losing 1-0 at Bradford. Rover Oxford picked up a useful three points against already relegated Bedford but are not out of the woods yet. They are only one point ahead of Sheffield Hallam. Staines were crowned Champions of Women’s National South after beating St Austell 2-0 away. Second place Swansea went down 2-1 to visiting St Albans. The relegation play-off place potentially involves four teams. A win 4-3 win for Firebrands against Maidstone and a 1-1 draw for Horsam against Exe, puts both clubs on 24 points with a goal difference of -2. Maidstone are on 26 points and St Austell on 27.

There was a full programme of matches in the Men’s National North and South Divisions today. All the issues in the North were settled, with Birmingham University winning the Division after a 4-1 win over second placed Doncaster. Sikh Union Nottingham are relegated from the EHL after losing 6-1 to Telford and Wrekin, and Kingston upon Hull will go to the play-offs after losing to Leek 3-0. In the South, Exeter University are confirmed as champions after a 6-0 win over Bromley and Beckenham, and Cambridge University are relegated after losing 5-4 to the other relegated club, Teddington. Robinsons currently occupy the relegation play-off slot but could climb out of there if they can win their remaining game against Holcombe next weekend.

Our photograph shows Trojans’ Ali Wakefield (red shirt) tussling for possession with Sunderland’s Susan Hamilton. A full album of pictures from this match will appear on our main web site (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk) soon.

SLOUGH GO DOWN TO BERLINER STROKES by Peter Colwill in St Germain en Laye

NB: Due to a loss of internet connection at our temporary base in Barcelona we were unable to bring you to following report yesterday (Monday). Our apologies for the delay.

Slough missed out on the European Cup Winners Cup losing the penalty stroke competition 3-1 after saving their best hockey of the tournament for the final in which they equalised through Jane Smith's penalty corner in overtime. Berliner went ahead in the third minute Jarina Totzke deflecting in a Natascha Keller penalty corner. But SloughSlough's first goal high into the net after Smith's corner had been charged down but Berliner retained their two goal lead when Julia Karwatzky converted their third and final corner. Alex Scott deflected a switched penalty corner with five minutes remaining for Slough's second to set up the dramatic finale. Both teams changed their goalkeepers for the penalty stroke competition but although Lynnette Smith saved flicks from both Lea Loitsch and Katharina Schultz, Berliner's Karoline Amm denied Jane Smith, Fiona Greenham, Natalie Bell and Chloe Strong. Slough's only success was Scott. weathered the early storm and playing with increasing confidence they created a number of chances. Smith, Alex Scott and Becky Odin all shot wide and Purdy Miller flailed at thin air but it was Keller who struck again with a simple tap in with 20 minutes left. Mandy Nicholson blasted in

There was no joy for Glasgow Western in the Bronze medal match as they went down 6-0 to Amsterdam who overcame their disappointment in failing on goal difference to qualify for the final at the expense of Berliner. Eveline Wisse Smit scored a hat trick but her captain Sylvia Karres who scored twice was the Tournament's leading goal scorer with six.

READING CRASH OUT by Peter Savage at Club Egara

And then there were none. Britain’s last remaining representatives in the EuroHockey League went out in heroic style to the Dutch from Rotterdam this afternoon. Reading started the match in defensive style, seldom straying over their opponents twenty-five. It was a tactic which got them to the break without conceding a goal but the second half was barely two minutes old before Rotterdam were awarded a penalty corner, which was converted by their Phil Burrows. Ten minutes later they had made it two, from a field goal from Jeroen Hertzberger. The match entered its third quarter with Reading looking for goals and one was soon to come from a penalty corner conversion from Richard Mantell. A minute later Rotterdam scored a goal which caused some controversy. A penalty corner was awarded and as the ball was in mid flight towards the goal the hooter sounded for the end of the third quarter. Everyone knows the rules about corners at half-time and full-time, but what about the end of quarters – something which is unique to this competition? The ball crashed into the back of the Reading net and immediately a gaggle of Reading players gather around umpire Requena. No end of protesting would change his mind and the goal stood. But at 3-1 down Reading were not leaving this competition without a fight. With ten minutes left, Reading were awarded another penalty corner and Richard Mantell struck home again. Final score 3-2 to Rotterdam.

Earlier today the host club, Club Egara, won through to the last four with a 4-0 win over St Germain. Rotterdam, Club Egara, Uhlenhorster and HGC go through to the semi finals, which will almost certainly be played in Rotterdam.

Our photographs show Richard Mantell striking his first penalty corner goal.

LATEST FROM EUROHOCKEY LEAGUE by Peter Savage in Club Egara

The Dutch club HGC took the second semi-final place in the EuroHockey League this afternoon and guarantee that the final rounds will be played in the Netherlands. In a tight match against local side Terrassa, HGC went one behind early in the match but were eventually able to equalise. A late penalty stroke gave them the match. Final score 2-1.
Reading, the last remaining British club in the competition, play Rotterdam tomorrow afternoon for the right to play in the semis.

LOUGHBOROUGH RECOVERY TOO LATE by Peter Savage at Club Egara PLUS report from Peter Colwill in Paris

There had been accusations that all the matches the English teams have played in at the EuroHockey League here at Club Egara have been boring and the same accusation looked as if it might be directed at the match between Uhlenhorster and Loughborough Students. That was until the second half. The early exchanges had never really threatened either side but in the second quarter Philip Witte opened the scoring for the Germans. The main difference between the two sides came down to experience. Loughborough Students are rebuilding at the moment and it was a turnover in their opponents 25 - the result of holding the ball unnecessarily long - that lead to Ulenhorster’s second goal. The scorer Philip Witte. The Germans looked as if they were going to claim a third but were thwarted by a fine save by Ali McGregor in goal. That could have been a turning point. With three minutes left Chris Gregg found the net for the Students and after that it was all one-way traffic. The Germans had the recent memory of nearly throwing the match away in the last seconds when they played Kelbourne on Friday and their obvious nervousness in the closing minutes did much to help the Students cause. Jerome Goudie was subjected to an unnecessarily physical tackle outside of the ‘D’ but the umpire decided that it was deserving of a corner. Nothing came of that but seconds before the full-time hooter sounded, Students were awarded another penalty corner and then a second. Unfortunately, the ball was struck wide at the second attempt. Uhlenhorster qualify for the finals. For Loughborough Students it is the long road to re-qualify. Final score: Uhlenhorster 2 Loughborough Students 1.

Our photograph shows the final act of the saga as umpire Francisco Vazquez Lopez signals that the ball has gone wide and the match is over.

REPORT FROM PETER COLWILL AT THE WOMEN’S EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP IN SAINT GERMAIN EN LAYE.

Slough 2 CD Terrassa 2

Slough are in the final of the Women's European Cup Winners Cup where they will play either Berliner or Amsterdam but their passage was anything but comfortable. Needing only to avoid a two goal defeat after Glasgow Western had beaten Kolos Borispol 1-0 they suffered a disastrous start. Raquel Huertas Soler flicked two penalty corners into the roof of the Slough net in the first 15 minutes. A fortunate break allowed Slough back into the match a few minutes later. Isabel Barguno Vidal, the Terrassa goalkeeper, failed to deal with a speculative cross and Jane Smith pounced to the delight of Slough's supporters who broke into their chant of "Nice one Smithy". Slough changed their goalkeeper at half time bringing on Sarah Ellis for Lynette Smith but it was a goal-line save by Mandy Nicholson from antoher Soler corner which kept their hopes alive. At the other end Smith hit the post from a corner and Harriett Cunningham who threatened throughout, blazed the ball over the bar. With five minutes remaining Slough booked their place in the final with an equaliser which owed much to a fine advantage by Irish umpire Carol Metchette. Smith was badly impeded following up her shot at a penalty corner but Purdy Miller slipped in to score her third goal of the tournament.

UHLENHORSTER WILL HAVE RESPECT FOR STUDENTS by Peter Savage at Club Egara

Europeans seem to have a problem pronouncing Loughborough and it usually comes out sounding like “loo brush”. But despite lavatorial pronunciation, the Students opponents today will have nothing but respect for them. Uhlenhorster learnt on Friday that it is a dangerous business being complacent against British sides after they were given a fright by Kelbourne. Loughborough Students suffered in their first match from a Belgium side that refused to come out of their corner and fight. Uhlenhorster’s tactics are almost certainly to be to attack. I expect Loughborough to defend stoutly and try and catch the German’s on the break. It should be an exciting match, but it would be a brave man that predicted the outcome. On paper Uhlenhorster would seem to be the better team but they have proved themselves to be vulnerable in their opening match.

Local interest will settle on the game between Barry Middledton’s HGC from The Hague and local side Terrassa. The stands should be a sea of yellow this afternoon. Reading fans will have to wait until tomorrow to see their side take on Rotterdam. Both English sides are playing for places in the semi-finals.

Loughborough Students play at 11:00 GMT. Reading play at 13:30 GMT tomorrow (Monday).

Our photographs (in order that they appear above) show Cannock’s Harry Jawanda trying to give Reading’s Richard Mantell the slip, Richard’s brother, Simon, forces a penalty corner, and action from the match between Bloemendaal (Orange) and Club Egara.

SATURDAY'S EUROHOCKEY ROUND-UP from Peter Savage at Club Egara and Peter Colwill in Paris

After the razzmatazz of the game that preceded it – a match between the host club and Bloemendaal – the meeting of Cannock and Reading was almost an anti-climax, with the loudest voices in the stadium being those of goalkeepers Nick Brothers and James Fair marshalling their respective defences. But it was a match to intrigue any follower of English hockey, even if there was something quite surreal about watching these two top Premiership sides battling it out against a mountainous Spanish backdrop. Both teams were reinforced by the return of their GB players, although the balance there is very much in Reading’s favour, and it was Great Britain’s principal corner striker that was to give Reading the edge. Richard Mantell converted a corner in the 15^th minute and to repeated the exercise in the 49^th. Cannock looked like getting back into the match, not that they were ever out of it, with Matthew Taylor scoring from a penalty but with time running out the match just slipped out of their grasp.

Today has been an entertaining day of hockey at Club Egara, which started off with a twelve goal battle between the French from St Germain and the Poles from Pocztowiec, which St Germain won 7-5 after having trailed by two goals at half time. This was followed by Waterloo Ducks against the mighty Rotterdam, with the Ducks taking an early lead but finally losing 6-1. Undoubtedly the match of the day was between Club Egara and Bloemendaal. Egara went into the break on 2-0 but the Dutch managed to claw their way back into the match. At 2-2, with seconds left on the clock, Egara scored the decider.

Photos and a further report will appear on this blog in the morning (Sunday).

PETER COLWILL REPORTS FROM SAINT GERMAIN EN LAYE

Slough 1 Kolos Borispol 0.

Slough need only a point from their final Pool match against CD Terrassa to be sure of qualifying for the final of the Women's Eurohockey Cup Winners Cup but they lived dangerously before securing their second tournament win against Kolos Borispol. Jane Smith, who had earlier hit the post, scored the only goal with a smart finish nine minutes before half time following a penetrative run by Louise Bevan after a well timed interception in her own half by Mandy Nicholson had set her goal-wards. Resting a number of senior players for lengthily spells, Slough lost their rhythm in the second half but Borispol, who suffered three second half suspensions, were unable to capitalise on six penalty corners. In the other match in the Pool Glasgow Western had a surprising 2-0 win over CD Terrassa despite conceding 13 penalty corners.

FRIDAY EUROPEAN ROUNDUP From Peter Savage at Club Egara and Peter Colwill in Paris

My apologies for the very brief report this morning but it is proving very difficult to obtain official confirmation of who the scorers are. I am reluctant to guess, although I am pleased to say that my notes of the Royal Antwerp v Loughborough Students show that my guessing was very accurate.

At half time during the Antwerp v Loughborough match a Spanish journalist turned to me and said, “What a terrible game!” and in truth there was nothing to commend it as a spectacle. Royal Antwerp never looked as if they wanted to make a match of it and Alistair McGregor in the Loughborough Students goal was hardly troubled during the 70 minutes. Maybe it was be the hour of the day – even with a ten minute delay to accommodate the local television 9:40 is an ungodly hour to start playing hockey - or perhaps unfamiliarity with the Belgium tactics, but it took Loughborough until the fourth quarter before they really seemed to be firing on all cylinders. Robert Smith opened the students account with a well struck goal in open play, followed by a penalty corner conversion nine minutes later. The scorer was GB player Jon Bleby, recently returned from adventures in Chile. The final score of 2-0 may not sound impressive but Loughborough will certainly give their opponents in the next round a run for their money.

In a post match interview with coach David Ralph I made the mistake of writing off Kelburne as their possible next opponents. David is an ex-Kelbourne man and I was nearly made to eat my words when Kelburne met Uhlenhorster in the last match today. The Germans looked as if they were heading for a comfortable 3-0 win when Kelburne, who in fairness were giving their opponents a good run for their money, struck back three times in the final quarter, forcing the match to extra time. The revival was short lived and a ‘silver goal’ gave the Germans a 4-3 win and a ticket through to the last eight, where they meet Loughborough Students on Sunday.

The best match on today’s menu was undoubtedly the local derby between Real Club de Polo de Barcelona and Atletic Terrassa. With a very vocal sea of yellow in the stands supporting Terrassa, the match finally went to a one-on-one shoot out, which was won by Terrassa. Final score 5-4.

English interest in today’s proceedings was not finished with Loughborough Students. Dutch side HGC, including one Barry Middleton, played Dinamo Kazan from Russia in what was today’s only one-sided game. Although not on the scoresheet, Middleton played a cracking game in his side’s 6-1 win.

Tomorrow Reading play Cannock at 16:00 GMT.

Our photographs (in order that they appear on this blog) show action in the match between Antwerp and Loughborough Students, happy young Terrassa supporters, and the reaction of one Uhlenhorster player to Kelbourne’s equaliser.

PETER COLWILL REPORTS FROM PARIS ON THE WOMEN’S EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP

Neither the driving wind nor the squally showers could drive Slough off course in the opening match of the Women's European Cup Winners Cup in Saint Germain en Laye Glasgow Western competed throughout but the match was effectively settled ten minutes into the second half when Slough struck twice in a minute. Purdy Miller pounced on a loose ball to score first, adding to her first half goal before Alex Scott, menacing throughout, carved an opening for Victoria Goodacre to tap in. Western pulled one back 5 minutes later when Chloe Strong gifted a clearance straight to Catriona Semple who finished stylishly. In the other match in this Pool CD Terrassa came from behind twice to beat Kolos Borispol from the Ukraine 3-2.

LOUGHBOROUGH THROUGH TO LAST EIGHT by Peter Savage at Club Egara, Spain.

Due to problems obtaining official match reports, I am unable to give a full report on the match between Loughborough Students and Royal Antwerp, other than to say that the final score was 2-0 to Loughborough, all the goals coming in the last quarter. A full report will appear on this blog this evening.

Our photograph show Scots umpire Jed Curran unimpressed by a plea for something more than a 16 yard hit during one Royal Antwerp's attacks on the Students' goal.

EUROHOCKEY LEAGUE PROSPECTS by Peter Savage in Terrassa

TalkHockeyRadio is in Terrassa for the knockout stages of the EuroHockey League. Play starts at Club Egara at 08:30 GMT tomorrow (Friday) when Loughborough Students meet Belgian side Royal Antwerp. British interest continues tomorrow when the Scots from Azzurri Kelbourne meet the last remaining German side in the tournament, Uhlenhorster. England is guaranteed to get at least one side through to the last eight as the last match on Saturday will be between Cannock and Reading.

The matches to decide the semi finalists will be played on Sunday and Monday, and they look tough prospects for whichever English sides get through to the last eight. Kelbourne are going to struggle to get passed the Germans but if they do they will find themselves playing the winner of the Loughborough Students v Royal Antwerp match. The winner of the meeting between Reading and Cannock are likely to face Rotterdam, who will be playing Waterloo Ducks on Saturday. It’s not that many months ago that I saw a Dutch side suckered into thinking that the Ducks were a walkover. I think the message about Belgian hockey has been learnt and I would expect Rotterdam to emerge the winners.

This blog will contain updates and photographs from the matches involving the English side, hopefully within 30 minutes of the final whistle.

READING TAKE PREMIERSHIP TITLE

Reading have been comfortably ahead of the pack at the top of the Slazenger Premiership for much of the season but must have been relieved to have secured sufficient points to claim the championship ahead of their trip to Spain next weekend for the EuroHockey League. The prospects of meeting high-flying East Grinstead this afternoon must have been viewed with some trepidation and a Danny Hall equaliser in the second half, wiping out Andy Watts’ 12^th minute goal, cannot have helped. However, Reading immediately responded with a goal in open play from Simon Lanyon and the score remained at 2-1, giving Reading the match and the Premier Division championship. Cannock, also destined for the EuroHockey League next weekend, came a cropper when visited by Bowdon, who scored four times, all from penalty corners. Final score: 4-2. A last gasp penalty corner by John Jackson gave Loughborough Students the points in their 3-2 win over Surbiton. Canterbury’s misery increased when they went down 3-5 to Hampstead and Westminster, despite an early goal by Canbterbury’s Craig Boyne. The sides that were promoted to the Premiership this season seem to have picked up momentum as the season has progressed. In addition to Bowdon’s win at Cannock, Havant recorded a 3-2 win against visitors, Beeston.

TalkHockeyRadio was at Old Loughtonians where the second and third placed sides in Division One were meeting. It was end to end stuff with Gareth Carr opening Old Georgians’ account after only five minutes (see our photograph). Chris Seward replied shortly afterwards and OGs went into the break one behind after a penalty stroke was converted by Oliver Didhams. However, Gareth Carr scored his second fifteen minutes into the second half, giving a final score of 2-2. This was possibly the worst possible result for both teams as the leaders, Southgate, won their match against Chelmsford 2-1 and have opened up a three point gap between them and Old Loughts. OGs are one point behind OLs.

Teddington have finally left the national league after losing 3-1 to Robinsons this afternoon. They are on 7 points with a margin of 11 points separating them and the 10^th placed team.

TAUNTON VALE, WOKING AND BEDFORD SAY GOODBYE TO NATIONAL LEAGUE HOCKEY

With only two more matches to go after today, some further relegation issues were decided this weekend in the Slazenger Women’s EHL. In National South, Firebrands 3-2 win over Exe means that they are on 21 points and cannot be caught by Taunton Vale (12 points) or Woking (8 points). For Taunton Vale relegation is a swift return to regional league hockey after only one season, whilst Woking were stalwarts of Division One until their relegation to National South in 2006. In the National North, Bedford finally sealed their fate. Although the bottom end of the table shows no change after today’s matches, Bedford’s draw against Bradford means they cannot now accumulate sufficient points to escape the drop. Cambridge City, one up from the bottom could theoretically still escape relegation.

Our photograph shows relegated Taunton Vale (in white) playing Horsham at the start of the season.

The big news of the day is that Premiership champions Slough suffered only their second defeat of the season when they visited Olton and West Warwicks. Denise Marston-Smith scored a hat-trick for the home side in their 5-1 win. 5-1 was also the score at Canterbury, where Sarah Kerly featured on the score sheet in their win over Poynton. It was local derby time at Luxborough Lane, where Old Loughtonians entertained Chelmsford. Tracy Willmore opened the scoring from a penalty corner just before half time, but Gwen Smith replied for Old Loughtonians five minutes into the second half. Final score 1-1. Whilst in theory Old Loughtonians can escape the drop, they now look destined to be relegated. Chelmsford are perilously close to the relegation zone for comfort. You can generally bank on a lot of goals in any match that Bowdon Hightown are involved in, and so it was when they travelled down West to play Clifton. Carys Hopkins opened the scoring for Clifton but goals from Sally Walton (2), Fay Nash, and Tina Cullen put the score at 4-1 at half time. Clifton staged a second half recovery with Elizabeth Sinton, Dawn Mitchell, and Carla Dunnett finding the net but Bowdon finally finished them off with two more from Tina Cullen and a goal from Nicky O’Donnell. Final score there, 7-4 to Bowdon. It was not a good day for Ipswich, who despite opening the scoring with a penalty corner conversion by Emma Millar, went down 4-1 to Leicester, and had their Miriam Fabregas red carded for alleged “language unbecoming a lady”! Canterbury and Clifton change places as a result of today’s matches, Canterbury moving up to fifth but otherwise the table remains unchanged.

The top four sides in Women’s Division One all won today, with Trojans now assured of promotion or a play-off place as a result of their 4-0 win over Loughborough Students. Reading, with an outside chance of a play-off place, were 3-1 winners at Doncaster, whilst second placed Sunderland beat bottom placed Harleston Magpies 1-0.

GREAT BRITAIN DO IT!!!

Great Britain dominated the first ten minutes of their Olympic Qualifying Tournament Final against India in Santiago this evening. A perfectly weighted cross from Ashley Jackson was popped into an empty net by Barry Middleton, followed by a penalty corner strike from Richard Mantell. The second half was end-to-end stuff but a super performance by Alistair McGregor in the GB goal stopped India getting back into the match. Final score 2-0 to GB and Great Britain are now Beijing bound.

IT'S TIGHT AT THE TOP OF DIVISION ONE AS SEASON END APPROACHES

The top of Slazenger Division One remains very open despite the end of the season being only four weeks away. TalkHockeyRadio was at the top versus bottom match between leaders Southgate and bottom placed Guildford. We said this about Guildford last year but they do not look like a team occupying the relegation slot, although relegation this time around is not an issue due to the re-organisation of the EHL in 2008-2009. Indeed, Guildford had their fair share of chances, although neither goalkeeper was much troubled during the match. What made the teams stand apart was that Southgate took their chances when presented with them. Nick Gerrard opened the scoring for Southgate in the fifth minute. It took eleven minutes of the second half for Rick Gay to add a second, this from a penalty corner, and shortly after Dan Shingles made it three. But the game never turned into a route and Guildford defied their humble position in the table by restricting Southgate to just the three goals. Final score 3-0. Pictures of this match are currently available to view on our main web site (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk). Southgate had hoped that luck might be with them today and that some of the chasing teams’ might stumble to enable them to draw away. In this respect they were disappointed. Old Loughtonians, trailing by a single point, were victorious at Belper, whilst Old Georgians beat Bournville 4-2, this despite having to defend a penalty stroke whilst their ‘keeper was in the sin-bin which, incidentally, was saved. Brooklands in fourth, only four points behind the leaders, beat Sheffield University Bankers 5-1, whilst Bath Buccaneers – only a point behind – beat Chelmsford 6-0. Top of Division One: 1. Southgate 35pts (+33), 2. Old Loughtonians 34pts (+28), 3. Old Georgians 33pts (+28), 4. Brooklands MU 31pts (+16), 5. Bath Buccaneers 30pts (+26).

In the Men’s Premier, The second and third sides met with the result that they swap places. Two goals by Dave De Prez and a goal by Danny Hall mean that they move up to second. Leaders Reading had played last night, beating Canterbury 2-0. On six points and only nine now available, Canterbury are relegated. Beeston, who were showing great promise earlier in the season, slipped up at Loughborough Students, losing 6-0. They slip down from fourth to fifth in the table. Hampstead and Westminster, who are occupying the play-off position, played the club ahead of them, Bowdon, and lost 4-2. There is a theoretical chance that Hampstead could escape but the chances look bleak for the Londoners. Depleted Surbiton’s woes increased as they went down 3-0 to Havant, although they do not face the danger of relegation.

GREAT BRITAIN ON VERGE OF QUALIFICATION

The result of the last round-robin stage matches seemed almost as irrelevance today. The big match is tomorrow. There is only one ticket to Beijing and the crossover match between Great Britain and India at 21:00 GMT will decide it. Great Britain's match against Austria today was simply a formality, which GB won by a comparatively modest 4-0, with goals from James Tindall, Ashley Jackson, Richard Mantell, and Rob Moore. The Austrians are probably the best of the outsiders in the Olympic Qualifiers in Santiago but no match for the likes of GB and India. The evidence of the meeting between the two top nations on Thursday shows that either side can win it, but there are many examples of sides winning in the round robin stages of a competition only to lose in the final. GB will need to play better than they did on Thursday to pass the final test.

SLOUGH WIN TITLE WITH FOUR WEEKS IN HAND

Slough were crowned Slazenger Women’s Premiership champions this afternoon with three fixtures left to play. They met Canterbury and it was two evergreen members of the Slough side, Purdy Miller and Jane Smith (PS), who earned the points that clinched the championship in their 2-0 win at home. Slough’s nearest challengers this season have been free-scoring Bowdon Hightown, who had seemingly gone off the boil in recent matches. Too late to challenge for the top spot, Bowdon returned to form with a 5-1 win over a depleted Leicester. Bowdon’s scorers were Lis Chaffey, Tina Cullen, Ashleigh Ball, and Fay Nash (2), with the reply coming from Alexis Williamson. Lowly Poynton, currently sitting in the play-off slot, recently seem to enjoy taking the scalps of teams in the top half of the table and their victims today were third placed Olton and West Warwickshire. Cath Linaker scored the first of a hat-trick after six minutes, with two goals coming from Katie Maltman, and one apiece from Phillippa Jones and Helen Armishaw in their 7-1 win. Clifton’s return to the Premiership has been further consolidated by a useful 4-2 win over Chelmsford . At the bottom end of the table, Old Loughtonians look doomed. With a potential nine points still available they are six points adrift of on-form Poynton. They did not do themselves any favours by losing 1-1 to Ipswich this afternoon. The current Premiership table is as follows: 1. Slough 42 pts, 2. Bowdon Hightown 32 pts, 3. Olton & West Warwicks 27 pts, 4. Leicester 24 pts, 5. Clifton 23 pts, 6. Canterbury 21 pts, 7. Ipswich 15 pts, 8. Chelmsford 13 pts, 9. Poynton 11 pts, 10. Old Loughtonians 5 pts.

There were two meetings of team at the top of Women’s Division One today. Top side Trojans were only able to record a 1-1 draw when they visited Reading. The scorers there were Jenna Woolven for Reading and Amy Sheehan for Trojans. Sunderland closed the gap between themselves and Trojans with a useful 3-2 win at Sutton Coldfield. The top of the table now looks like this: 1. Trojans 34 pts (+21), 2. Sunderland 32 pts (+17), 3. Reading 27 pts (+17), 4. Birmingham University 24 pts (+6), 5. Sutton Coldfield 24 pts (+2).

The three leading teams in Women’s National North each recorded victories today. Leaders Cannock beat Bradford 2-0, whilst second placed Belper overcame Rover Oxford 3-2. Whitley Bay in third place beat bottom placed Bedford 3-1. In National South leaders Staines faced bottom placed Woking and drew 2-2.

BEIJING BECKONS AS MOORE SCORES LATER WINNER

Goals from Richard Mantell, Jonty Clarke and Rob Moore gave Great Britain a 3-2 win over India in this crucial match in Santiago this afternoon. India took an third minute lead after a penalty corner award was converted by V R Raghunath, but Mantell's own penalty corner conversion put the sides on even terms at the break. Ten minutes into the second half Jonty Clarke was on target to give GB the lead from open play. A late penalty corner to India was converted Raghunath but with only seconds left it was Moore who scored the vital winning goal. This was a match which at times saw some agricultural tackling, with Vickram Kanth and Shivendra Singh spending time in the sin bin. GB are now the only side on maximum points but the crunch match will come on Sunday when almost certainly the two sides will meet again to decide which will qualify. GB's next match will be on Saturday when they meet the best of the outsiders, Austria.

GB CONCEDE FIRST GOAL OF QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT

Great Britain played their third Olympic Qualifying match in Santiago yesterday and faced their sternest test to date when they played Chile. Indeed, the match was six minutes into the second half before Richard Mantell was able to open the scoring from a penalty corner. Britain then conceded their first goal of the tournament when Esteban Krainz scored from a loose ball in the circle. Almost immediately Barry Middleton came to Great Britain's rescue when he slotted a pass from Jonty Clarke into the Chilean goal. Two more goals from James Tindall gave Great Britain the 4-1 victory.

The table currently has India in the lead on goal difference after their 18-1 thrashing of Mexico yesterday. Great Britain are second, with Austria third on six points from three matches.

Tomorrow will be the big match when Great Britain play India. Whatever the outcome, the two top teams play in a crossover match on Sunday to decide the qualifier.

LIGHT BLUES WIN VARSITY MATCH

The 108th Varsity Match was played at the Southgate Hockey Centre this afternoon. Cambridge had much the lion's share of the possession - possession that was reflected by goals, the first coming from 21 year old Nick McLaren in the fourteenth minute. Oxford equalised early in the second half, their goal coming from a penalty corner conversion by skipper David Cresswell, but it only took minutes for Cambridge to put themselves back in front, Jez Hansell scoring from a penalty. A late penalty stroke converted by Stuart Penman was icing on the cake for Cambridge, who won the match 3-1. Our photograph shows Penman receiving the Varsity Cup at the end of the match.

The women's match went to Oxford, who won 2-1

PHOTOS OF THE MATCH WILL APPEAR ON OUR MAIN WEB SITE SOON.

Latest scores from Santiago

Mexico 1 India 18
Austria 5 Russia 4

GB are playing at 22:30 GMT. Result and full details will appear in the morning.

AUSTRIA EMERGE AS THE BEST OF THE OUTSIDERS

Austria seem to be emerging as the team most likely to upset the balance of power in the Olympic Qualifiers in Santiago. They beat what was generally believed to be the best of the outsiders when they recorded a 4-3 win against Chile, and yesterday they were holding India at 2-2 at half time before eventually losing 7-3. Chile recorded their first win yesterday – 4-0 against Mexico.

Great Britain’s win yesterday gives them maximum points from two games and a lead in the table on goal difference ahead of India. Goal difference may well prove academic at the end of the day because, if matches go to form, it will all be down to the final between the two nations.

Yesterday’s match between GB and Russia saw GB take an early lead when Barry Middleton got on the end of a rebound from a Richard Mantell penalty corner strike. Glenn Kirkham scored his first GB goal minutes later, when Rogov saved the first shot at goal from a corner and Kirkham was on hand to slot it home. The Russians had no answer to further goals from Middleton and Kirkham and goals from Matt Daly, Mark Ralph and James Tindall. Final score 8-0.

Today (Monday) is a rest day. GB are next in action tomorrow when they play Chile. They meet India of Thursday and Austria on Saturday.

GB WIN SECOND QUALIFIER

Great Britain have won their second qualifier in the Olympic Qualification Tournament in Santiago (Chile) beating Russia 8-0. We will bring you further details and the results of other matches in the morning.

CANNOCK MOVE AHEAD OF EAST GRINSTEAD IN PREMIERSHIP

There was some minor shuffling of the pack at the top end of the division after this afternoon’s matches in the Slazenger EHL Premiership. Reading put their recent defeat behind them, partly thanks to a hat-trick by their Andy Watts, against visiting Surbiton. Goals from Warren D’Souza and Simon Pinks added to their tally against visiting Surbiton. Andrew Sheridan was the scorer of the visitor’s goal in Reading’s 5-1 win. At the other end of the table, Canterbury’s win last week may have put an optimistic note into the Kent side’s chances. An early goal by Jess Dowsing was almost immediately wiped out by Cannock’s Gareth Andrew. Canterbury went back into the lead after Christian Pryce scored from a penalty corner but Gareth Andrew added two more to his tally. A goal from Andrew Brogdon made Cannock’s total four. Final score 4-2. The two newly promoted clubs have had some mixed results this season. Havant entertained Hampstead and Westminster and gained a valuable three points with a 3-1 win. Bowdon took on visitors Beeston and managed to take the match into the second half one ahead thanks to an early goal from Ibrar Latif. Adam Dixon scored an equaliser just after the restart and the score remained at 1-1. The change at the top came about as a result of a 1-1 draw at Loughborough Students, where visitors East Grinstead opened the scoring nine minutes into the second half but conceded an equaliser in the last ten minutes. East Grinstead now move down to third and are replaced by Cannock. Reading still lead the division by a six point margin.

In Men’s Division One it was wins all round for the leading three. Rick Gay and Dan Shingles scored for Southgate against Belper. Final score 2-0. Southgate are one point ahead of Old Loughtonians who managed five against Sheffield Bankers, with Luke Gupta, Richard Evans, Liam Doidge, Oliver Didham and Tom Stumbke the scorers. Final score 5-2. Old Georgians are clearly not wanting to be left out of the race for promotion and their Gareth Carr scored a hat-trick of penalty corners when they visited Brooklands. Other OGs goals came from Sven Tegeler and Patrick Kelly. Andy Howse, the Brooklands captain, suffered a serious ankle injury early in the match and took no further part in their 5-1 defeat. The three top sides in the Division are separated by two points.

It should almost be a headline in its own right. Teddington won - and in style too. The scalp they took in their National South clash was no minor one either. When Indian Gymkhana, in fourth place, went to Teddington, they had every right to expect an easy victory. An early goal by Jagdeep Gill may have reinforced that belief but star of the show was Teddington’s Gareth McKeown who put five passed Gymkhana. Final score 8-6 to Gymkhana. Another unexpected result was Sevenoaks losing to lowly Robinsons, one place off the bottom. Exeter’s 3-2 win over Oxted means that the Devon side move back into the top position. The Scott Cordon factor was evident again when Leek met Sheffield Hallam. Cordon scored his side’s second goal in their 3-1 win and his side now move up into third, replacing Stourport who did not have a match today.

THE OLYMPIC QUALIFIER BETWEEN GB AND RUSSIA STARTS AT 19:00 GMT. WE WILL BRING YOU THE RESULTS AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

GB TREAT MEXICO TO OPENING MATCH GOAL STORM

Great Britain started their Olympic qualification campaign in Santiago with a promising opening performance against Mexico. GB dominated the initial exchanges with Barry Middleton having a shot at goal stopped by goalkeeper Garcia in the fifth minute. Despite their dominance, GB found goals hard to come by in the first half. Simon Mantell opened the account in the fourteenth minute and his brother, Richard, managed to find the net from a penalty corner eight minutes later. It was twelve minutes into the second half that Great Britain started a goal storm which showed the difference in the rankings between the two sides. Stephen Dick scored in open play, followed in quick succession by goals from Richard Alexander, Simon Mantell, Barry Middleton, Matt Daly (2), Rob Moore, Ashley Jackson and James Tindall. Final score: 11-0 to Great Britain.

Not the most difficult of matches for GB, but as we have said on this blog before, tournaments are often won or lost on the easy games.

In the second match of the day India beat Russia 8-0. Great Britain play Russia at 16|:00 tomorrow (local time). Santiago is three hours behind the UK.

GB OFF TO STORMING START - Plus Saturday's Slazenger League Roundup

Great Britain got off to a storming start in their Olympic qualifying tournament in Santiago this afternoon with an 11-0 win over outsiders Mexico. We will bring you further details on this blog as we receive them.

This afternoon’s matches in the Women’s Slazenger League Premier Division mean that the table remains unchanged, although an out of form Bowdon side slipped up when they visited second from bottom Poynton. The match went goalless until the last fifteen minutes when Poynton’s Katie Maltman found the net. Cath Linaker put Poynton two ahead and, with minutes left on the clock, Phillipa Jones scored their third. Final score 3-0 to Poynton. Bowdon remain in second place but the gap between them and leaders, Slough, has opened up to ten points after Slough beat Old Loughtonians 4-0. Scorers there were Alex Scott (2), Jane Smith and Chloe Strong. Third place Olton entertained struggling Chelmsford and despite Tracy Willmore giving the Essex side an early lead, two goals from Denise Marston-Smith and a goal from Emma Rochlin gave Olton a 3-1 win. Leicester are doing an amazing job staying in fourth place after their squad has been decimated for Great Britain duties. Their 2-2 draw at fifth placed Canterbury means that they both retain their positions. Leicester’s scorers were Hannah Macleod and Kate Sharland, with the replies coming from Jenny Wilson (wearing white in our photograph) and Helen Grant. Clifton, newly returned to the top flight this season, have been modestly successful, and stay away from the relegation area with a useful three points from their match against Ipswich. Carla Dunnett scored the only goal in the match midway through the second half.

Trojans opened up their lead at the top of Women’s Division One with a 4-0 win over Harleston Magpies, with the goals coming from Heather Batten, Tacita Haines, Joanna Davis and Amy Sheehan. Second placed Sunderland slipped up when they entertained Reading in third place, going down 3-2. Reading’s goals came from Emma Thomas (PS) and Jenna Woolven. There was no change at the top of Women’s National South, although leaders Staines could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Bournmouth. In Women’s National North, Belper move into second place after a 2-0 win against Bedford. They replace Whitley Bay who were beaten 3-1 by mid-table Bradford. This remains one of the most competitive divisions in the league, with only six points separating the second and seventh placed sides.

There was one men’s EHL match today. In the National South division Cambridge University, who will be playing in the Varsity Match next Tuesday, were beaten 3-1 at home to Holcombe.