Update on Saturday's Results

The evening match between Bowdon and Beeston re-shuffles the pack at the top of the Men’s Premiership. In the best traditions of Beeston, they went into the break with a two goal lead courtesy of Mohammed Nadeen (penalty stroke) and Adam Dixon, but squandered their lead in the second half when Bowdon’s Michael Hoare and Simon Egerton (penalty stroke) put the sides on equal terms. Jamie Parker put Beeston back into the lead with 12 minutes remaining but two minutes later the umpire was pointing to Beeston’s penalty spot again, and Michael Hoare stepped up to make it 3-3. The decider came with six minutes remaining, again by Mohammed Nadeem from the penalty spot. Final score 4-3 in Beeston’s favour, but four of the seven goals coming from penalty strokes? Perhaps not a record but hardly an everyday achievement.

Susan Edghill was at the Southgate Hockey Centre for TalkHockeyRadio and sends this report on the match between Championship contenders Cannock and bottom-of-the-table Southgate.

This was a game that had two sides fighting for the points for very different reasons. Southgate took the lead early in the game with a goal from Joel Evans and it wasn’t until half way through the first half that Cannock won a penalty corner and Will Pearce levelled the score. Two superb saves from England goalkeeper James Fair at penalty corners, as Southgate pressed forward, kept the score level at half time.

In the second half Cannock showed their quality, but also their youth. It was left to a superb run by Hardeep ‘Harry’ Jawanda to force yet another penalty corner, and a second goal by Will Pearce, to put them 2-1 up. Cannock had a lot of play but their lack of experience showed on occasions when they gave the ball away too easily. Southgate pressed hard for the equaliser but it was all too little too late and if their finishing had been a little better Cannock could have been 3 or 4 up.

After retiring from international hockey as the highest capped player for Wales with 153 caps, coach Paul Edwards took over at Cannock at the beginning of this season. He spent 18 years playing at Cannock, “coming back home” as he put it after just one season coaching at Olton. After the match he said “They are a young team. Nobody expected us to lead early in the season. In 12 months time they will be even better”.

As a result of the evening fixture at Bowdon, Reading slip down to fourth whilst Beeston step up to third. However, only four points separate the top five and, with three matches left to play, a place in Europe (top three teams) and the Championship are up for grabs by any of the five.

SLAZENGER ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGUE TABLE: 1. East Grinstead 32 pts (+20), 2. Cannock 31 pts (+21), 3. Beeston 30 pts (+18), 4. Reading 29 pts (+19), 5. Surbiton 28 pts (+13), 6. Loughborough Students 18 pts (-2), 7. Bowdon 14 pts (-13), 8. Hampstead & Westminster 10 pts (-19), 9. Havant 9 pts (-22), 10. Southgate 5 pts (-35).

READING TOPPLED BUT WORSE MAY BE TO COME

The top of the Men’s Slazenger Premiership could look a very different place tonight after Reading were toppled by two goals by East Grinstead’s young German International, Martin Haner. Reading had taken a lead in the first half through a penalty corner conversion by Tom Bertram. The final score of 2-1 to East Grinstead puts them at the top of the table.

Cannock’s 2-1 win over Southgate pushes Reading down to third, although that might not be the end of their slide. Beeston have a 18:00 start at Bowdon and a win for Beeston would push Reading into fourth position.

Loughborough Students, who earlier in the season seemed to be having a perilous courtship with relegation, have secured their season with a 3-0 win over Hampstead and Westminster. The Student’s goals were scored by Simon Faulkner, Peter Dobson and Carl Smith. Calum Giles managed to equalise for Havant after Tim Pinnock’s fifth minute goal gave Surbiton the lead, but Havant’s hopes of picking up a much needed point were dashed when Ben Hawes scored a second half goal from a penalty corner. After what was initially a disappointing season, it is almost a surprise to find Surbiton are suddenly within reach of taking the championship. Despite their fifth place they are only four points behind the leaders.

Joel Evan’s goal in under 60 seconds must have given Southgate a glimmer of hope as they languish at the bottom of the table, but a penalty corner conversion in each half by Cannock’s Will Pearce spoilt any planned celebration. Final score 2-1 to Cannock.

A league table for the Premier Division will appear on this blog later this evening when the result of the Bowdon V Beeston match is in.

It’s still tight at the top of the MEN’S EAST CONFERENCE, with the top-of-the-table clash between Oxted and Indian Gymkhana ending 3-1 in Oxted’s favour. Canterbury move ahead of Indian Gym after a high scoring match at Sevenoaks, which ended 7-4 to Canterbury. Old Loughtonians, who did not play today, will have a chance to keep in touch with the leaders tomorrow when they play Ipswich, who are currently in bottom place.

MEN’S EAST CONFERENCE LEADING SIDES: 1. Oxted 34 pts (+25), 2. Canterbury 32 pts (+18), Indian Gymkhana 29 pts (+23), Old Loughtonians 28 pts (+27).

The MEN’S NORTH CONFERENCE also saw a high scoring match when leaders Belper played host to Leek. Leek were 7-0 down after fifty-nine minutes of play after Sam McCambridge (3), Tom Sherratt (2), James Hewitt and Richard Kitchen scored for Belper. Then in the space of a little over ten minutes, Scott Cordon, James Gough and Paul Nixon found the net for Leek, and Tom Sherratt scored his third for Belper. Final score 8-3. A Dan Berry goal gave Sheffield Hallam an early lead against Brooklands, but Brooklands finally prevailed 5-2. Brooklands remain the only unbeaten team in the North Conference. University of Durham remain in contention after a 4-3 win at Doncaster. The three leaders and now separated by a single point, with a gap between them and the fourth placed side of thirteen points.

MEN’S NORTH CONFERENCE LEADING SIDES: 1. Belper 38 pts (+43), 2. Brooklands 37 pts (+37), 3. University of Durham 37 pts (+24).

Two of the three leaders in the MEN’S WEST CONFERENCE won today, with University of Exeter putting six passed University of Exeter for no reply. Guildford kept their hopes for a play-off place alive by beating University of Birmingham 2-0, with one of the goals coming from their recent signing, Mani Kochar. The surprise result from the top group is Bournville, losing 1-4 to Stourport, although from what we saw of Stourport last weekend, they seem to be a better side than their sixth place in the table might suggest.

MEN’S WEST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. University of Exeter 33 pts (+21), 2. Guildford 28 pts (+7), 3. Bournville 27 pts (+8).

There was one match in the WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP today. Canterbury’s visit to Slough ended in a 3-2 win for the visitors.

EH CUP NEWS

The last remaining Premier Division side will meet East Conference Barnes Hounslow Ealing in the semi finals of the Women's Cup on Sunday 5 April. The other semi final will involve another East Conference side, Reading against West Conference Birmingham University.

The men's version of the competition plays its quarter finals tomorrow (Sunday) and sees both of last year's finalists in action. Beeston entertain Cannock (14:00) whilst Bowdon play host to Canterbury (12:00). However, perhaps the most interesting of the quarter-final games will be the match between Fareham from the South Premier League, who take on Brooklands MU. Fareham reached this stage by knocking out Sheffield University Bankers in the previous round. The match will be played at Henry Cort Community College at 14:00. The match between Reading and Old Loughtonians has already been decided by way of a walkover to Reading

OXFORD BAGS UNIVERSITY DOUBLE

The 109th Varsity match was held at the Southgate Hockey Centre this afternoon with the dark blues recording victories in both the men's and women's games.

Cambridge have only won the women's title once since 2000 but it looked as if nine years of bad luck was about to change when Jenny Stevens scored for Cambridge in under two minutes of play. Spurred into action, Oxford were immediately on the attack, although it was end-to-end stuff until Helen Macadam equalised 12 minutes later. Seven minutes into the second half the dark blues skipper, Charlotte Jackson, found the net from a penalty corner. Final score 2-1 to Oxford.

Cambridge were quickly on the attack in the men's game too. Jack Yelland scored in open play early in the first half but the game remained finely balanced until the second period. John Fedderson opened Oxford's account five minutes into the half and it looked as if the match could be played out to an uninspiring draw. The drizzle and chilly wind that had kept much of the crowd in the clubhouse started to get more biting as the evening drew in, but as the match moved towards its conclusion things started to heat up on the pitch. Thomas Lockton put Oxford ahead and in the last ten minutes Alex Evans found the net, followed by John Fedderson scoring his second. Final score 4-1 to Oxford putting an end to a run of two wins by Cambridge in the men's Varsity match.

Further images from this match will appear on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk tomorrow (Wednesday)

PREMIERSHIP MOVING TOWARDS EXCITING CLIMAX

Picture: Reminders of classic tussles between Reading and Cannock as Mani Kochar (in white) and Andrew Langlands meet in this afternoon's West Conference match between Guildford and Cannock.

The Premier Division of the Men’s Slazenger England Hockey League looks like coming to an exciting climax, with the top four clubs only separated by two points courtesy of some very unexpected results this afternoon. Leaders Reading now only hold their position by a goal difference of a single goal after they went down 1-3 to Surbiton at home. The goals came late in both halves, with Surbiton’s Andy Cornick scoring just before the break. Rob Moore made it two with ten minutes of play remaining, with Cornick scoring his second two minutes later. Ian Mackay scored Reading’s only goal seconds later.

East Grinstead’s win over Hampstead & Westminster elevates them up one place to second in the table. The London side staged a late rally, with goals from Pim Van Groeningen and Simon Lanyon (2) but they could not catch East Grinstead’s five goal lead. Final score 5-3 in East Grinstead’s favour. Cannock took an early lead when they played host to Loughborough Students, courtesy of Gareth Andrew, but Richard Smith and Carl Smith overturned the lead with goals in each half. Final socre 1-2 to the Students.

Beeston have enjoyed a recent run of good form and their opponents today were lowly Southgate. Rick Gay’s penalty corner just before half time sent the two teams into the second half at one apiece but goals from Richard Stamp, Martin Jones and Jamie Parker gave Beeston the 4-1 final score. Havant recorded their second win of the season when they played Bowdon. Ahmed Ezz Mohamed opened the scoring for Havant with Stephen Brogdon replying for Bowdon. A second half goal by Alex Edmonstone gave Bowdon a brief lead, but late goals from Warren Gilmour and Tim Davenport ended the match at 3-2 to Havant.

SLAZENGER MEN’S ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: 1. Reading 29 pts (+20), 2. East Grinstead 29 pts (+19), 3. Cannock 28 pts (+20), 4. Beeston 28 pts (+20), 5. Surbiton 25 pts (+12), 6. Loughborough Students 15 pts (-5), 7. Bowdon 14 pts (-12), 8. Hampstead & Westminster 10 pts (-16), 9. Havant 9 pts (-21), 10. Southgate 5 pts (-34).

TalkHockeyRadio was at the MENS EAST CONFERENCE match between Reading and Cannock this afternoon. Well, actually, it was the match between Guildford and Stourport, but with Simon Mason and Mani Kochar playing for Guildford and Andrew Langlands playing for Stourport, it took one’s mind back to some classic meetings between those two Premiership sides a few seasons back. It was goalkeeper Simon Mason who was responsible for the final score in this match. Without some superlative play from him Guildford would have been in serious trouble. Stourport had much the greater possession and some near suicidal passing in the 25 yard area meant that Mason’s goal was under pressure for much of the match. After Jonathan Haynes 14th minute goal for Guildford, his side hardly had a sniff of the net for the remainder of the match. The final score of 1-0 to Guildford did not do justice to Guildford’s poor performance although it certainly did justice to Mason’s.

Guildford’s win elevates them to third place in the table after two of the three teams ahead of them had disappointing afternoons. Table leaders, University of Exeter, could only pull of 1-1 draw when they went to Bath Buccanneers and the meeting between Old Georgians and Bournville ended 1-3 in Bournville’s favour.

MEN’S WEST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. University of Exeter 30 pts (+15), 2. Bournville 27 pts (+11), 3. Guildford 25 pts (+5), 4. Old Georgians 23 pts (+17).

Indian Gymkhana surrendered their lead at the top of the MEN’S EAST CONFERENCE when they visited Bromley and Beckenham. All the goal action was in the second half with a Phillip Froeschie hat-trick giving B&B a 3-2 victory. Oxted move into second place after a 2-0 win over Holcombe. Canterbury keep in the running by beating Chelmsford 4-3 away.

MEN’S EAST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Oxted 31 pts (+23), Indian Gymkhana 29 pts (+25), 3. Canterbury 29 pts (+15), Old Loughtonians 28 pts (+27).

The three top teams in the MEN’s NORTH CONFERENCE all drew today, with leaders Belper ending their match against University of Durham 5-5. Belper’s Nick Morris equalised within a minute of James Warburton scoring Durham’s fifth goal. Brooklands visited Barford Tigers and scored within the first three minutes with a David Seddon goal. Satinderpal Mann scored Tigers’ equaliser within a minute of the restart.

NORTH CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Belper 35 pts (+38), 2. Brooklands MU 34 pts (+36), 3. University of Durham 34 pts (+23).

Bowdon Hightown are the only Premiership side left in the WOMEN’S EH CUP after Clifton were beaten 3-4 in the quarter finals by University of Birmingham. Results:
Barnes Hounslow Ealing 4 Cambridge City 0
Epsom 0 Reading 4
Sutton Coldfield 3 Bowdon Hightown 6
University of Birmingham 4 Clifton 3.

JO's THREE CLINCH CHAMPIONSHIP FOR BOWDON

With only four more matches left to play and a lead over the second place club of 14 points, Bowdon Hightown took the Women’s Slazenger EHL Premier Division championship this afternoon with a 3-0 win over Clifton. Jo Ellis’s (pictured) goal famine seems to have turned into a goal feast, with her hat-trick adding to her recent tally for Bowdon. Her side were given a leg up by Olton and West Warwicks whose failure to earn three points at Leicester finally clinched it for Bowdon.

Canterbury were heading for a 1-1 draw at home to Poynton when their Susie Rowe equalised from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, cancelling out Helen Armishaw’s third minute goal for Poynton. But a penalty corner conversion by Sarah Newman in the last two minutes gave Poynton the three points. Chelmsford’s first win of the season last weekend was not a result that was repeated. Fresh back from European indoor hockey in Madrid, Slough overcame Chelmsford 3-1. Trojans, who had been Chelmsford’s victims last week, recorded only their third win of the season by beating Ipswich 2-1.

It would have taken a miracle for Olton & West Warwicks to catch Bowdon, but miracles were not on the cards when they visited Leicester. Chloe Rogers scored for the home side shortly before the break but Abigail Fitzgerald equalised just after the restart. With no further score in the match it ended 1-1. Olton need to look over their shoulder as Leicester close the gap between them to one point.

SLAZENGER WOMEN’S ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGE PREMIER DIVISION: 1. Bowdon Hightown 42 pts (+42), 2. Olton & West Warwickshire 28 pts (+30), 3. Leicester 27 pts (+21), 4. Slough 22 pts (+15), 5. Canterbury 22 pts (+14), 6. Clifton 22 pts (-2), 7. Poynton 13 pts (-15), 8. Trojans 11 pts (-9), 9. Ipswich 5 pts (-33), 10. Chelmsford 4 pts (-63). Slough have two games in hand. Canterbury and Poynton have one game in hand.

In the East Conference the top the table clash between Reading and Barnes was decided in Reading’s favour with goals from Vicky Bryant and Laura Puddle. Final score there, 2-0 to Reading. Third place Southgate slipped up at St Albans, going down 2-0.

EAST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Reading 40 pts (+43), 2. Barnes 31 pts (+11), 3. Southgate 25 pts (+9), 4. Old Loughtonians 23 pts (+4).

The West Women’s Conference also saw a top of the table clash as University of Birmingham played host to Sutton Coldfield. Goals from Sophie Bray, Jo Turnbull, Alys Brooks and Susie Gilbert gave the students the 4-1 win and extends their lead to seven points. Cannock are three points behind Sutton after their 1-0 win away at Swansea.

WEST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. University of Birmingham 38 pts (+76), 2. Sutton Coldfield 31 pts (+23), 3. Cannock 28 pts (+15).

In the North Conference, Loughborough Students maintain their lead with a 4-0 win over Doncaster. University of Durham, who are four points behind the leaders picked off lowly Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 4-0.

NORTH CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Loughborough Students 38 pts (+37), 2. University of Durham 34 pts (+34).

TRADITIONALLY INCONSISTENT BEESTON took a notable scalp this afternoon playing their re-arranged match against Men’s Premiership leaders Reading. All the goals came in the second half, with Beeston’s Ben Arnold, Mohammed Nadeem and Wayne Rowland finding the net in their 3-0 win. Also on target was East Grinstead’s German international Martin Haner, who scored four of his sides five goals in their 5-4 win over Loughborough Students, although the issue was finally settled by Mark Pearn’s 62 minute winner from a penalty corner.

Sunday Update

The big news from the weekend must be Cannock’s topple from leadership of the Men’s Premier Division of the Slazenger England Hockey League, a position they have held since the first weekend of the season. The cause of their downfall was third placed East Grinstead, whose goals from Mark Pearn and Andy Piper were enough to drop Cannock one point behind the new leaders Reading. It took a single Jonty Clarke goal at Bowdon to earn them the three points they needed to assume the leadership. At the basement end of the table, Havant have failed to make further headway since their recent home win against Hamstead and Westminster. Calum Giles’ 64th minute equaliser at Beeston could well have earned them a point, but Martin Jones found the net for Beeston with three minutes left on the clock. Final score there, 2-1 to Beeston. Loughborough Students did not play last weekend because they were taking part in the European Indoor Clubs Trophy but the trip away obviously did them good, putting four passed luckless Southgate for no reply. The scorers: James Osborn (2), Chris Gregg and Richard Smith. Matt Daly scored a penalty corner hat-trick as Surbiton played hosts to Hampstead and Westminster. Other Surbiton scorers were Ben Hawes from the penalty spot and James Tindall from open play.

The Men’s Premiership looks as follows. Several sides have on game in hand, and this is indicated *: 1. Reading 29 pts (+25)*, 2. Cannock 28 pts (+21), 3. East Grinstead 23 pts (+16)*, 4. Beeston 22 pts (+11)*, 5. Surbiton 22 pts (+10), 6. Bowdon 14 pts (-11), 7. Loughborough Students 12 pts (-5)*, 8. Hampstead & Westminster 10 pts (-14), 9. Havant 6 pts (-22), 10. Southgate 5 pts (-31).

THE FINAL OF THE EUROHOCKEY WOMENS INDOOR CLUB CHAMPIONS CUP in Madrid was won by German side Club an der Alster in an exciting duel against Dinamo Sumchanka from the Ukraine, which the Germans won 7-5. Third place went to Larensche of the Netherlands. A full report on this competition will appear in our on-line magazine, HockeyTalk, available from next Thursday. This can be downloaded from our main site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk

SLOUGH LOOKING PRETTIER IN PINK by Peter Savage in Madrid

Maybe it was the pink shirts but Slough looked a far better side when they took the court against Ritm Grodno in the last of the relegation pool matches in the EuroHockey Women's Indoor Club Champions Cup here in Madrid this morning. Jane Smith was again Slough's danger woman scoring all but one of her side's five goals. Some of the slackness and poor passing of the previous two days seem to have been banished, although afer Slough's fifth and final goal - scored by Fiona Greenham - there was a worrying five minutes when their opponents scored twice and closed the gap to two goals. Slough hung on in to win the magtch 5-3 and take maximum points in the pool and with it a final fifth place in the tournament.

Photographs from the weekend will appear on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk tomorrow (Monday) together with a full report in our on-line magazine HockeyTalk, available to download from Thursdsay.

Saturday Round-up

Slough may be able to take some comfort from the fact that both the teams that beat them in Pool A in the EuroHockey Indoor Women's Club Champions Cup in Madrid have qualified for tomorrow's final. The semi final match between Laren and Dinamo Sumchanka was 4-4 after extra time and had to be decided on penalty strokes, with Dinamo emerging the winners. The other semi final was probably the game of the tournament so far, with the home side, Club de Campo having the benefit of substantial support, and Club an der Alster having a small but very vocal band of followers. Club de Campo managed to stem the German threat until well into the second half but gradually the greater experience of Alster started to show. Final score 7-4 in favour of the Germans.

Back home, the big news of the day was that Chelmsford managed to win a match at last, Libby Knifton's 52nd minute goal being the only score in their game against Trojans. At the other end of the table it was the battle of the titans, with leaders Bowdon Hightown visiting second place Olton. Bowdon's Jo Ellis, who seems to have returned to goal scoring form, added her goal to an earlier effort by Annalisa Bishop to take the match 2-1 and widen even further the gap at the top of ther table, which now stands at 12 points. Canterbury managed to stem Cliftons onward march with a 6-2 scoreline.

In the Men's Premier Division, the re-arranged match between Loughborough Students and Beeston ended at 2-2.

Due to our travel arrangements tomorrow and the time difference, our weekend report on domestic hockey will not appear until Monday. Reports from Madrid will be posted shortly after the final hooter.

AUSTRIAN SLIP LETS SLOUGH OF THE HOOK by Peter Savage in Madrid

It was the turn of Slough to benefit from a piece of carelessness as they played the first of their relegation pool matches in Madrid this afternoon. Ironically, it was the Wels' goalkeeper Katzenhofr, whose solid play had kept Slough at bay for much of the match, who gifted the English side three desperately needed points, which in some opinions they had done little to deserve. At 2-2, and with only seconds left, Katzenhofr attempted to return the ball into play from the back line but only managed to push itl a few inches. Jane Smith, who had scored Slough's two goals, earned her hat-trick by pouncing on the ball and quickly propelling it into the Austrian's net. Whilst the Austrian's stood transfixed with shock, the final hooter sounded.

With six points in the bag, three carried over from the pool matches, and three from this afternoon's match, Slough are assured of a fifth or sixth place. They play Ritm Grodno tomorrow to decide their final placing.

THREE POINTS MIGHT BE ENOUGH TO RESCUE SLOUGH by Peter Savage in Madrid

Bowdon Hightown's chances of playing in their top tier of European indoor club hockey next year took a boost this morning when Slough took three points from their final pool match here in Madrid. Their opponents were Russian side Vympel , who despite being in bottom place in Pool A, showed yesterday that they would be no pushover when they played Club an der Alster. First half goals from Jane Smith and Fiona Greenham (2) were enough to give Slough the win and, although Vympel had their moments, the match was mostly Slough's.

The three points against Vympel get carried over into the so-called relegation league, the first matches of which are due to be played this afternoon. Those points boost Slough's chances of a fifth or sixth place in the competition. Anything less than a sixth place means that the English representatives will play in the Trophy competition next year.

Slough do not yet know who they will be facing this afternoon but it seems likely that it will be Austrian side Wels.

MUCH BETTER BUT STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH by Peter Savage in Madrid

Careless talk costs lives as they say. But careless passing has painful outcomes too. In truth, Slough were much improved on their opening match but some sloppy work put them one down against Club an der Alster in less than a minute. Ashleigh Ball managed to equalise on the ten minute mark but Alster were back in the lead shortly afterwards and scored a third on 15 minutes. A penalty stroke award was thankfully put away by Jane Smith shortly before the break, but that was Slough's last goal of the match, Alster clocking up three second half goals to take the game 6-2.

Overall Slough looked more composed and played the match at their pace rather than getting sucked into the frenetic pace seen in their first match. They meet the Russians from Vympel tomorrow and three points could see Slough enter the relegation pool with a chance of avoiding the drop. Anything but a win could doom their chances of staying in the top European indoor competition.

SLOUGH FACE NINE GOAL SETBACK INN OPENING MATCH by Peter Savage in Madrid

Someone described it to me as Slough's worst performance in Europe ever and the 9-2 scoreline against Dinam0 Sumchanka tells it own story. In a fast and furious match, Slough were outgunned in every department and went through a period of outright collapse when they conceded four goals in ten minutes. Without Alex Scott, who had returned home for 'personal reasons', Slough had little firepower up front and only Steffi Cordier could find the net. Two penalty stroke chances were fluffed, first by Jane Smith and then Fiona Greenham.

Slough will have to pick themselve up for their second match today, against the powerful Germans from Club an der Alster, to stand any reastic chance of keeping England's place in this competition.

SLOUGH IN MADRID TO FACE EUROPE'S BEST

TalkHockeyRadio is in Madrid for the Women's EuroHockey Indoor Club Champions Cup, where England will be represented by Slough. Slough play Dinamo Sumchanka at 13:00 (CET) tomorrow (Friday) followed by Club an der Alster at 16:00.

We'll have daily reports from Madrid, with photographs on our main web site (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk) on Monday.

STUDENTS TAKE FIFTH PLACE IN EURO INDOORS

Loughborough Students, last year's winning finalists in the National Indoor Championships, finished in the bottom half of the EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy this weekend, after a campaign of mixed success. On Friday they went down 8-2 to Swedish side Partille in their first match, but followed this up with a 7-3 win over HC Bra from Italy. In their third pool match, played yesterday, they met Kolos-Sekvoya Vinnitsa of the Ukraine. Trailing 2-0 at half time they made a brave effort at recovery but finished the match as losers at 2-3.

Playing in what is sometimes called the 'Relegation Pool' they fought back from 3-2 down against Belarussian side Minsk to take the match 6-2. In their final match today they drew 4-4 against Lousada of Portugal to take the 5th place in the tournament.

The trophy tournament is the second tier in this competition, Canterbury having been relegated from the 'A' division in Perth last year.

It is the turn of the women next weekend, with Slough representing England in the women's 'A' division in Madrid. TalkHockeyRadio will be there and will be carrying reports on this blog, together with images on our pictures pages and full coverage in our on-line magazine HockeyTalk.

BEESTON LOOK ON AS 'GRINSTEAD MOVE BACK TO THIRD

Our photograph shows action in the East Conference match between Holcombe and Indian Gymkhana. Further pictures from this match will appear on our main website (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk) tomorrow.

As predicted yesterday, Beeston’s promotion into third place in the Slazenger Men’s Premiership lasted all of 24 hours. Without a game today, Beeston’s fate was in the hands of Southgate, who manifestly refused to defy the form book by going down 8-1 to East Grinstead. ‘Grinstead now move back into third place and Beeston slide to fifth. Cannock, who had a difficult match against Surbiton earlier in the season, struggled to come away with a point from the return fixture. Gareth Andrew opened the scoring for Cannock but Rob Moore was able to equalise before the break. Peter Flanagan’s early second-half goal was matched by Surbiton’s Andy Cornick three minutes later. Harry Jawanda’s 44th minute goal gave Cannock a lead which lasted for 16 minutes before Surbiton were awarded a penalty stroke, converted by Ben Hawes. At 3-3, a second goal from Gareth Andrew and a goal from Surbiton’s James Tindall meant that the sides went away with a point apiece. Cannock must now be looking nervously over their shoulders at Reading, who are two points behind the leaders but with a game in hand. Reading’s Austin Smith (2) and Iain Mackay put three passed Havant this afternoon for no reply. One of the Premiership’s unpredictable sides, Bowdon, went down 4-1 to Hampstead & Westminster 4-1. Although the end of the season is in sight, a number of clubs have games in hand, including both Beeston and Loughborough Students (who were playing in Europe this weekend – see report later in this b;pg), who are two matches behind at the present time.

SLAZENGER ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION: 1. Cannock 28 pts (+23), 2. Reading 26 pts (+24), 3. East Grinstead 20 pts (+14), 4. Surbiton 19 pts (+7), 5. Beeston 18 pts (+10), 6. Bowdon 14 pts (-10), 7. Hampstead and Westminster 10 pts (-11), 8. Loughborough Students 8 pts (-9), 9. Havant 6 pts (-21), 10. Southgate 5 pts (-27).

TalkHockeyRadio was at the East Conference match between Holcombe and Indian Gymkhana, expecting to see lots of goals. There were enough goals to keep us happy, although not necessarily in the direction expected. Well out of the drop zone, Holcombe are languishing at seventh despite managing to field several recycled players from top clubs, whilst Indian Gymkhana have been amongst the front runners for most of the season. Holcombe started impressively, controlling much of the play and being rewarded with a Simon Ramsden goal in the 21st minute. The indiscipline, which has frequently stopped Gymkhana playing their best hockey in the past, was noticeably absent in the first half, and Pravinder Hanspal equalised from a penalty corner three minutes later. This was followed by a penalty corner from Jagdeep Gill shortly after. Gill extended the lead to 3-1 from the penalty spot 18 minutes into the second half, but some of coolness that had marked out Gymkhana’s first half seemed to desert them in the second. Two penalty corners, ten minutes apart, were converted for Holcombe, the first from David Matthews and the second from Simon Ramsden. Unfortunately, as the match ended, their was a bit or argy bargy between the two sides – not X rated stuff but perhaps in need of someparental guidance – and that is how the match ended 3-3. We don’t often comment on the umpiring in these blogs, but a very competent performance by the relatively inexperienced Mark Gray and Paul Gallop. Indian Gymkhana edge above Oxted, who did not play today.

EAST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Indian Gymkhana 26 pts (+19), 2. Oxted 25 pts (+16), 3. Canterbury 23 pts (+16). Canterbury have a game in hand.

None of the leaders in the North Conference played today and the top of the table remains unchanged. NORTH CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Belper 31 pts (+37), 2. Brooklands MU 30 pts (+31), 3. University of Durham 30 pts (+19).

Some of the leaders in the West Conference had their chances dented this afternoon. University of Exeter, who lead the table by five points, did not play today, but second place Bournville could only manage a 4-4 draw against bottom-of-the-table Cardiff & UWIC. Old Georgians went down 3-1 to mid-table Birmingham University. WEST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. University of Exeter 28 pts (+15), Bournville 23 pts (+9), Old Georgians 22 pts (+19).

Two Women’s Premier Division matches fell foul of the weather, with Leicester’s match against Chelmsford cancelled due to snow on the pitch, whilst Canterbury’s visit to Slough was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Bowdon continue their confident march towards the Championship with a 4-0 win over Ipswich, with goals from Charlotte Hartley, Tina Cullen and Julie Hope. Olton, who are in second place nine points behind Bowdon, look increasingly set to be runners-up, with a confident 4-1 win over third place Clifton. Trojans’ picked up a point against visiting Poynton, after trailing to a Helen Armitage penalty corner for 45 minutes. The equaliser was scored by Joanna Davis.

SLAZENGER ENGLAND HOCKEY LEAGUE WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION: 1. Bowdon Hightown 36 pts (+38), 2. Olton & West Warwicks 27 pts (+27), 3. Clifton 22 pts (+5), 4. Leicester 20 pts (+10), 5. Slough 19 pts (+13), 6. Canterbury 19 pts(+11), 7. Poynton 10 pts (-16), 8. Trojans 8 pts (-9), 9. Ipswich 5pts (-28), 10. Chelmsford 1 pt (-55).

Reading remain unbeaten at the top of the Women’s East Conference after a 5-1 win at Harleston Magpies. Barnes could only manage a 1-1 draw against lowly St Albans. EAST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Reading 34 pts (+36), 2. Barnes 28 pts (+10), 3. Southgate 22 pts (+9).

In the North Loughborough Students were 6-0 winners at Beeston. The margin could have been greater had it not been for a missed and a saved penalty stroke. University of Durham stay four points behind the leaders after their 4-1 win at Sunderland. NORTH CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. Loughborough Students 32 pts (+31), 2. University of Durham 28 pts (+28), 3. Belper 19 pts (+6).

West Conference leaders, Birmingham University, did not play today, giving chasing Sutton Coldfield the chance to close the gap with a 7-3 win over Rover Oxford. WEST CONFERENCE LEADERS: 1. University of Birmingham 32 pts (+67), 2. Sutton Coldfield 28 pts (+23), 3. Cannock 22 pts (+12).

GOAL FEAST AS CHELMSFORD MEN MOVE OFF BOTTOM

This afternoon we enjoyed the aftermath of two weeks of snow when the usual fixture list was enhanced by a collection of re-arranged matches. But if you were looking for goals, there was only one place to be and that was at Chelmsford, where you would have seen a total of nineteen. Bowdon Hightown’s 8-0 win in the Women’s Premiership match, with goals from Jo Ellis (4), Tina Cullen, Julie Hope (2) and Lindsay French for the visitors, went very much with the form book. What might have been less expected was the Men’s East Conference match that also took place later in the afternoon at Chelmsford’s Beehive Lane ground, when the home side recorded their first win of the season, beating City of Peterborough 10-1. That’s almost 40% of all their goals this season in one match. The result elevates them up the table to eighth.

At the top end of the men’s Premiership, East Grinstead were finally able to play their re-arranged match against Beeston. There has always been a suspicion that we have not seen the best of Martin Jones since his move to The Bees, but his three goals this afternoon gave his side three points that moves them up into a European qualifying place. Final score 3-2, with the ‘Grinstead goals coming from Mark Pearn and Glenn Kirkham. Havant can breath a sigh of relief that last weekend’s win does genuinely move them off the bottom. The new occupants of that slot played their game in hand against dark horses Surbiton, who have been moving slowly up the table after an indifferent start. Ben Hawes opened the scoring for Surbiton from a penalty stroke but Dan Shingles managed to equalise early in the second half. Hawes scored his second shortly after, with further goals coming from Andy Cornick and Matt Daly. Andy Westbrook scored a late goal for Southgate in their 4-2 defeat. The result leaves Southgate on the bottom but promotes Surbiton into fourth place.

There is almost a full Men’s Premier Division fixture list tomorrow (Sunday) with only Beeston and Loughborough Students not playing. East Grinstead are playing Southgate, which may mean that Beeston’s elevation to third place may be short lived.

Bowdon’s win at Chelmsford has opened up a 9 point lead for them at the top of the Women’s Premiership, whilst Clifton’s continuing form gave them a 2-1 win when they entertained Slough. Clifton’s goals came from Leah Wilkinson and Abi Welsford, and the reply from Jane Smith. Clifton now move up to third and Slough slip back to fifth. Two Jennys were on target for Canterbury at Polo Farm when they entertained Trojans, with Jenny Wilson scoring two and Jenny Hall one. Trojans’ reply came from Laura Nicholls. There is a full programme in the Women’s Premiership tomorrow.

In the men’s Conferences, it remains competitive at the top of the East, with Indian Gymkhana recording a 4-3 win at Sevenoaks and Oxted drawing 2-2 at Canterbury. Canterbury’s early charge seems to be running out of steam, leaving Indian Gym and Oxted at the top of the table, both on 25 points but separated by goal difference. The recent weather gives Indian Gymkhana a game in hand and Canterbury has two games with which to close the five point gap held by Oxted.

In the North, the leaders Belper, Brooklands and University of Durham, all won this afternoon. 13 points now separates third place Durham from Leek in fourth place. In the West there was a minor upset when third place Bournville beat leaders Exeter University 2-1. Despite the defeat, the University holds a six point lead over Old Georgians, who are in second place.

In the women’s Conferences a gap has opened up in the East between the top two and the chasing teams after second place Barnes beat Southgate 2-0. Leaders Reading stay top after beating Old Loughtonians 3-2. The leaders in the North Conference, Loughborough Students, did not play today but they hold a four point lead over University of Durham, who beat Ben Rhydding 4-0 today. In the West, University of Birmingham maintained their seven point lead over Sutton Coldfield with a 5-1 win over Cannock. There is a full programme in the women’s conferences tomorrow.

We are not updating the progress tables on our main web site (www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk) until tomorrow due to the number of rearranged matches that are being played this weekend. Full league tables can be found at the Fixtures Live web site at www.FixturesLive.com

EZZ GETS HAVANT OUT OF GAOL AS WEATHER HITS LEAGUE PROGRAMME AGAIN

The snow again devastated the Slazenger League programme this afternoon, with only six matches being played. TalkHockeyRadio was at Havant for one of the two surviving fixtures in the Men’s Premier Division, to see Havant’s meeting with eighth place Hampstead and Westminster. This is the third time we have seen Havant play this season and the previous matches left us puzzled as to why the Hampshire side was languishing at the bottom of the table. After today’s performance our puzzlement has been replaced by astonishment at the result, after what was a truly dire exhibition. Havant’s get-out-of-goal card was their Egyptian international Ezz (pictured) whose 27th minute equaliser nearly broke the backboards. Hampstead had taken a 12th minute lead via Will Naylor and the irony of this match, and there were many, was that the sides went into the break with the Londoners 2-1 up, after an overtime penalty corner was converted by David Eakins, despite the balance of play being in the home side’s favour. Eakins increased the score to 3-1 shortly after the re-start and after that Hampstead were virtually parked in the Havant half for the next twenty minutes. But the revival – and boy, what revival – came with less than ten minutes left. A shot by Mohamed Ezz, after his one-man effort penetrated the Hampstead defence, reduced the deficit to one, and a minute later Paul Rabe found himself unmarked with a sitter right in front of the Hampstead goal. We were in fairy-tale land here, and a draw would have been more than just result, but the saga was not over. Three minutes later and Warren Gilmour’s shot from a penalty corner hit the backboards. Havant managed to hang on until the final whistle to record their first win of the season. Final score 4-3. The sizable crowd who braved the winter weather were rewarded for their perseverance, but better sides will continue to punish Havant for play like today’s. Havant now move off the bottom of the table and are replaced by Southgate, who did not play today.

The only other Premiership match was at Bowdon, where Cannock twice went ahead, only to see their lead wiped out. Final score there, 2-2. Cannock are currently four points ahead of Reading at the top of the table but Reading have a game in hand. East Grinstead and Beeston, on 17 and 15 points respectively, have two games in hand.

There were two surviving matches in the East Conference and these involved the top teams. Oxted beat Ipswich 5-1, whilst Indian Gymkhana punished bottom-of-the-table Chelmsford 6-1. In the North Conference all three of the leaders played today. Belper, on 28 points, visited Formby, and put six passed them for a reply of one. Brooklands move ahead of University of Durham on goal difference after their 1-0 win over the students. Only Whitchurch versus Exeter University survived in the West, with the University getting the better of a 2-1 scoreline.

Photographs of the match between Havant and Hampstead and Westminster will appear on our main web site tomorrow. www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk

ICY CONDITIONS BRING CHAOS TO LEAGUE

Snow disrupted the Slazenger League for the second week running, with only five matches played in total. Casualties included the rearranged match between East Grinstead and Beeston in the Men’s Premier Division, which had been snowed off last weekend.

Two matches in the Women’s Premier survived the weather, although Ipswich might have cause to wish that the ice had made their pitch unplayable too. Their Chloe Hunnable opened the scoring early in the game but their opponents, Olton & West Warwicks, are one of the form sides this season and three late goals in the first half, put the visitors in the driving seat. The scorers: Lisa Hunter, Denise Marston-Smith and Lucilla Wright. Emma Lee-Smith’s goal early in the second half gave Ipswich a brief look in, but a second goal from Marton-Smith and a last minute penalty corner from Laura Price gave Olton a deserved 5-2 victory. The weather favoured Leicester as they travelled to Poynton, where their 3-0 win lifts them into third place, above Slough and Clifton who did not play today and have a game in hand.

In the Women’s Conferences a first half lead by Maidstone was wiped out by two second half goals from Old Loughtonian’s Rebecca Halle. Final score there, 2-1. There were no other matches played in the East. In the North, the only match played ended in a 4-0 win for University of Durham against Liverpool Sefton. It was a similar story in the West, with only the 3-0 win of University of Birmingham against St Austell surviving the day.
None of the three Men’s Conference Matches re-scheduled for today were played.

Full league tables are available on our main web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk.

The outlook for tomorrow (Sunday) does not look promising with the matches at Beeston, Surbiton, Bromley, Peterborough and Sheffield Hallam, already posted as postponed. The prospects for hockey elsewhere do not look promising due to freezing overnight temperatures and isolated snow shows forecast for some parts of the UK

SNOW DISRUPTS LEAGUE RESTART

Snow disrupted the Slazenger League fixture list this afternoon, but for a change it was matches in the South East that bore the brunt of the weather. The important Premiership match between East Grinstead and Beeston was one postponed match. The table remains unchanged except for Loughborough Students and Hampstead & Westminster swapping places. Hampstead suffered a 6-0 defeat when they played hosts to Reading, with Jonty Clarke being on target with four goals, including a penalty stroke. The other Reading goals were by Richard Mantell and Austin Smith. A trio of GB players were on target for Surbiton in their match against Loughborough Students, with Ben Hawes, Matt Daly and James Tindall finding the net, but the Students were able to earn a 3-3 draw thanks to second half goals from Simon Faulkner and Nick Catlin. Their other scorer was Richard Smith. Havant, adrift at the bottom of the table, scored three thanks to Andrew Pett (2) and Tom Murtagh, but their opponents, Cannock, enjoyed a goal spree too, with goals from Gareth Andrew (4), Harry Jawanda and Matthew Plunkett. Final Score 6-3 to Cannock. The other struggling Premiership side, Southgate, went down 2-1 to visiting Bowdon.

In the Men’s Conference East the matches between Canterbury and City of Peterborough, Holcombe and Indian Gymkhana, and Sevenoaks and Ipswich were all snowed off. Oxted’s 4-3 win at Old Loughtonians allows them to move to the top of the table, but both Indian Gymkhana and Canterbury have games in hand. In the West, Exeter University stay ahead with a 4-1 win over University of Birmingham. Durham University had a tight match against struggling Barford Tigers. With Chris Borrett’s 68 minute penalty corner being the decider in their 5-4 win. They lead the table by two points.