The two remaining unbeaten teams in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division do battle this Sunday as Surbiton host the University of Birmingham.
Leaders University of Birmingham are two points clear of second-placed Surbiton, but all that could change depending on the result of their mouth-watering clash at Sugden Road.
“It’s a big game for both of us, Surbiton are a quality side with some really good players,” said Phil Gooderham, Head Coach of the University of Birmingham. “We always enjoy playing down there.
“If we’re being honest the table isn’t looking like we thought it would. After last season we were going for a play-off place, so we’re exceeding our initial target, but as the season progresses that may change.
“We have such a young side with 11 freshers in the squad, and we’re rotating so everyone is getting game time. They’re learning so quickly this year and I really can’t fault their attitude.”
Third-placed Canterbury are hosting Bowdon Hightown as they bid to keep pace with the top two, while East Grinstead – who lost by the odd goal to Canterbury last weekend – will want to bounce back as they go to Clifton.
Holcombe and Buckingham are preparing for battle at Rochester, while Reading take on Leicester at home.
In the Investec Conference East, Harleston Magpies played well in drawing 2-2 with second-placed Cambridge City, but they will need to do even better this weekend when they travel to runaway leaders Slough on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Cambridge City head to Hampstead and Westminster, and third-placed Wimbledon go to St Albans.
Leaders Wakefield entertain Liverpool Sefton in the Investec Conference North, while the University of Durham are also at home against Brooklands Poynton, as they bid to stay second and keep the heat on Wakefield.
Oxford Hawks will be aiming to make it four wins in a row as they entertain leaders Sutton Coldfield in the Investec Conference West, while second-placed Swansea City are on the road to Gloucester City.
* The above photo shows the University of Birmingham’s Vanessa Hawkins in action, right.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Sunday, November 15 2015):
Investec Premier Division
Clifton v East Grinstead 13:00
Holcombe v Buckingham 14:00
Reading v Leicester 12:30
Surbiton v Univ of Birmingham 14:00
Canterbury v Bowdon Hightown 15:00
Investec Conference East
Chelmsford v Sevenoaks 12:30
Slough v Harleston Magpies 12:30
Maidenhead v Ipswich 13:30
St Albans v Wimbledon 13:30
Hampstead and Westminster v Cambridge City 14:00
Investec Conference North
Whitley Bay and Tynemouth v Beeston 12:30
Loughborough Students v Ben Rhydding 14:00
Wakefield v Liverpool Sefton 13:30
Springfields v Belper 14:00
Univ of Durham v Brooklands Poynton 14:00
Investec Conference West
Bristol Firebrands v Univ of Bristol 12:00
Gloucester City v Swansea City 12:00
Stourport v Trojans 12:00
Isca v Olton and West Warwicks 12:30
Oxford Hawks v Sutton Coldfield 13:30
