After holding local rivals Holcombe to a draw last weekend, Canterbury will be looking to use their improved form to beat second-bottom Bowdon Hightown in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday.
With just two draws and two points to their name so far this season Canterbury are five points adrift at the foot of the table, but a victory on Sunday could ease their worries.
“We’re looking to take the form from the win last weekend and start building a bit of a run,” said Helen Fagg, co-captain of a Canterbury side who have several new young players in the squad as well as a new coach in Australian double Olympic gold medal-winner Kate Starre.
“The table shows that the gap between teams is very thin and anyone can beat anyone else. I don’t think the points we have reflect our performances so far, we’ve been unlucky with some results.”
Elsewhere, leaders Surbiton face an in-form Buckingham side who lie third but could move up to second with a victory and if the University of Birmingham lose at home to Leicester.
Other top flight action sees two matches featuring four teams who are all level on ten points; East Grinstead go to Clifton Robinsons, while Holcombe host Slough.
Currently third in the Investec Conference East, last season’s champions Wimbledon play host to leaders Hampstead & Westminster who will want to preserve their 100% record. Meanwhile, second-placed Sevenoaks entertain bottom of the table Chelmsford as they bid to keep pace with the leaders.
Beeston head to Sutton Coldfield with the aim of maintaining their perfect record in the Investec Conference North, while Brooklands Poynton are at home against Fylde and could go top if Beeston falter.
Meanwhile, bottom of the table Loughborough Students head to Liverpool Sefton side on Saturday in a match which is important to both side’s hopes of keeping clear of the relegation zone.
Trojans have conceded just two goals so far this season in the Investec Conference West and they will be looking to continue that form as they entertain Olton & West Warwicks on Saturday afternoon.
Elsewhere, an unbeaten Reading will host Oxford Hawks on Sunday, while third-placed Stourport go to Isca.
* The lead photo shows Bowdon Hightown’s Julie Whiting in action against Leicester.
FIXTURES
Saturday, November 11 2017
Investec Women’s Hockey League
Investec Premier Division
Univ of Birmingham v Leicester 13:45
Surbiton v Buckingham 16:00
Investec Conference North
Brooklands Poynton v Fylde 11:45
Liverpool Sefton v Loughborough Students 14:00
Investec Conference East
Southgate v St Albans 14:00
Investec Conference West
Trojans v Olton & West Warwicks 12:00
Sunday, November 12 2017
Investec Premier Division
Canterbury v Bowdon 12:30
Clifton Robinsons v East Grinstead 13:00
Holcombe v Slough 14:00
Investec Conference North
Sutton Coldfield v Beeston 12:30
Timperley v Ben Rhydding 12:40
Wakefield v Univ of Durham 13:00
Investec Conference East
Bedford v Harleston Magpies 13:00
Barnes v Cambridge City 13:30
Sevenoaks v Chelmsford 13:30
Wimbledon v Hampstead & Westminster 14:00
Investec Conference West
Isca v Stourport 12:00
Swansea v Cannock 12:00
Gloucester City v Team Bath Buccaneers 13:00
Reading v Oxford Hawks 14:30
This report has been provided on behalf of England Hockey by Snowdon Sports.
