Premier Division leaders Holcombe host reigning champions Surbiton on Saturday, in a repeat of last season’s final in the Investec Women’s Hockey League.
Holcombe are the only unbeaten team left in the league, but will be taking nothing for granted against Surbiton, who beat them 3-1 in the final at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London last April.
“It’s going to be a tight game,” said Holcombe’s First XI Manager Gary Owen. “I just hope we don’t get the rebound from their loss last weekend!
“We’ve settled down well and our defence is stronger this year, so we’re confident going into the match. We will watch video of them, but most of our preparation will be about us and what we want to do.
“At the end of the season Surbiton will be there or there abouts, and we’re aiming for the top four too, so this could well be a bit of a six-pointer.”
Elsewhere second-placed Slough host Leicester as they bid to maintain their good start to the season, while East Grinstead could also go top if they beat visitors Canterbury and other results go in their favour.
And in other top flight action Buckingham are at home against the University of Birmingham who inflicted Surbiton’s first loss of the season last weekend, and Bowdon Hightown head to Clifton Robinsons.
In the Investec Conference East high-scoring leaders Hampstead and Westminster play host to bottom of the table St Albans on Saturday, and will be looking to add to the 20 goals they have scored in their first four matches.
Meanwhile second-placed Sevenoaks have not conceded any goals in the league this season. They entertain Cambridge City on Saturday as they target another clean sheet.
Early leaders Sutton Coldfield are at home against third-placed Brooklands-Poynton in the Investec Conference North, while second-placed Beeston go to Fylde on Sunday.
Top of the table Trojans haven’t conceded a single goal so far in the Investec Conference West, and they take on Cannock on Saturday with the aim of continuing that form.
Elsewhere second-placed Stourport go to Swansea City as they bid to maintain their unbeaten form.
* The lead photo shows Holcombe’s Beth Bingham (right).
FIXTURES
Saturday, October 21 2017
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division
Buckingham v Univ of Birmingham 12:00
Slough v Leicester 12:30
Clifton Robinsons v Bowdon Hightown 13:00
East Grinstead v Canterbury 16:00
Holcombe v Surbiton 16:00
Investec Conference North
Univ of Durham v Loughborough Students 12:00
Wakefield v Ben Rhydding 12:00
Sutton Coldfield v Brooklands Poynton 12:30
Investec Conference East
Sevenoaks v Cambridge City 12:00
Southgate v Barnes 12:30
Hampstead & Westminster v St Albans 13:30
Chelmsford v Harleston Magpies 14:00
Wimbledon v Bedford 14:00
Investec Conference West
Isca v Team Bath Buccaneers 12:00
Oxford Hawks v Olton & West Warwicks 12:00
Swansea City v Stourport 12:00
Trojans v Cannock 12:00
Reading v Gloucester City 16:30
Sunday, October 22 2017
Investec Conference North
Timperley v Liverpool Sefton 13:15
Fylde v Beeston 13:30
Report courtesy of England Hockey via Snowdon Sports
