Reading secured the final play-off place in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division as they beat Leicester 3-1 on Saturday.
They climbed above Holcombe who could only draw 0-0 with leaders Surbiton, and will go forward to the Finals Weekend which is being staged on April 18-19 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Reading fell behind to a Liz George goal in the sixth minute, but they bounced back with goals from Susie Gilbert, Helen Richardson-Walsh and Sarah Jones.
Elsewhere, Buckingham must face the relegation play-offs after losing 4-0 to the University of Birmingham whose goals came from Jo Turnbull, Faye Curran, Olivia Chilton and Anna Toman.
Bowdon Hightown live to fight another season in the top flight after a 2-2 draw against relegated Beeston. Holly Hunt was their main threat, notching both of their goals.
In the other game of the day, second-placed Canterbury beat third-placed Clifton 3-2 with goals from Sarah Kerly, Grace Balsdon and Jen Wilson.
Clifton were two goals up early in the game with Joanna Leigh and Claire Thomas hitting the target, but they couldn’t hold on.
Investec Conference West
With all of the crucial matters in the Investec Conference West already decided, it came down to playing for pride on the final day.
Swansea City pulled off the biggest win of the day with a crushing 6-0 win over Isca University. Natalie Blyth and Abi Welsford both hit braces for the team that finish second.
Bristol Firebrands will play in the relegation play-offs and they ended their league campaign with a 4-0 defeat to champions Slough. Nora Ilkei scored twice.
Relegated Cheltenham lost 3-2 to Oxford Hawks, while Gloucester City drew 2-2 with Stourport and Trojans’ game against Olton and West Warwicks also finished all square at 1-1.
Investec Conference North
Cannock were confirmed as the team to be automatically relegated from the Investec Conference North, losing to Loughborough Students 1-0. Rachel Malcolm scored the only goal.
Liverpool Sefton made sure that they get a chance of staying in the division by securing a 0-0 draw with second-placed Brooklands Poynton.
Champions Wakefield took and impressive 5-1 win against Kendal with Cat Horn and Sally Walton both on target twice.
An Emma McCabe hat-trick saw Sutton Coldfield edge out Ben Rhydding in a thrilling 4-3 win and in the other game, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth drew 1-1 with University of Durham.
Investec Conference East
Horsham managed to steer clear of automatic relegation from the Investec Conference East with their 1-0 win over Chelmsford enough to lift them off the bottom. Fran Crossley was their hero, slamming home from a penalty corner on 40 minutes.
It is Bedford who go down after losing 2-1 to Maidenhead. Horsham will take part in relegation play-offs.
Champions East Grinstead ended their league on a sour note, losing 2-1 to Wimbledon. Lauren Seaman and Olivia Martineau scored for the winning side, spoiling East Grinstead’s unbeaten record.
Cathy Gilliat-Smith hit two goals in Sevenoaks’ 3-1 win over Ipswich and Harleston Magpies drew 1-1 with St Albans.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, March 21 2015):
Investec Women’s Premier Division: Reading 3, Leicester 1; Beeston 2, Bowdon Hightown 2; Surbiton 0, Holcombe 0; Canterbury 3, Clifton 2; University of Birmingham 4, Buckingham 0.
Investec Women’s Conference West: Slough 4, Bristol Firebrands 0; Swansea City 6, Isca University 0; Gloucester City 2, Stourport 2; Trojans 1, Olton and West Warwicks 1; Oxford Hawks 3, Cheltenham 2.
Investec Women’s Conference North: Brooklands Poynton 0, Liverpool Sefton 0; Kendal 1, Wakefield 5; Loughborough Students 1, Cannock 0; Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 1, University of Durham 1; Ben Rhydding 3, Sutton Coldfield 4.
Investec Women’s Conference East: Ipswich 1, Sevenoaks 3; Horsham 1, Chelmsford 0; Harleston Magpies 1, St Albans 1; Wimbledon 2, East Grinstead 1; Bedford 1, Maidenhead 2.
