Holly Hunt scored twice as Hampstead & Westminster recorded their second straight victory of the season in the Vitality Women’s Premier Division
The GB international struck in the third and fourth quarters to add to Lauren Turner’s strike in the final minute of the first half to give their side a three-goal advantage heading into the last 10 minutes.
Sophie Bray struck twice in as many minutes to set up a grandstand finish but it wasn’t to be for East Grinstead as they lost 3-2, their first defeat in the league in 728 days, while Hampstead now sit top of the league after two games.
Surbiton recorded their first victory of the season by beating Beeston 2-0. Georgie Twigg opened the scoring in her first game of the season after getting married last weekend before Eloise Stenner added a second moments into the second half.
Buckingham recorded a second consecutive 1-1 draw, this time against Clifton Robinsons. Lauren Thomas scored for Buckingham in the 14th minute before Clifton – who also drew last week – equalised four minutes later through Carla Dunnett.
Holcombe came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the University of Birmingham, the first points for both teams this season. Millie Giglio and Becky Manton had given the students the lead before Izzy Shelley and Becky Iaw drew Holcombe level.
The other game in the Premier Division between Loughborough Students and Wimbledon was postponed following the sudden death of Loughborough coach Andy Gibson. As a mark of respect, this game was not played as well as the game between Loughborough Students 2s and Oxford University (Conference Midlands) and Doncaster’s game against Leeds as he was a lifelong member of the former. Our sincerest condolences are with Andy’s family, friends and everyone who knew him.
- Buckingham 1-1 Clifton Robinsons
- Hampstead & Westminster 3-2 East Grinstead
- Holcombe 2-2 University of Birmingham
- Loughborough Students P-P Wimbledon
- Surbiton 2-0 Beeston
In Division One North, Maddie Axford’s hat-trick propelled the University of Nottingham to the top of the table as they beat Stourport 4-2. The University of Durham held off a late fightback from Leicester City to win 3-2, while there were 2-1 victories for Bowdon Hightown and Gloucester City against Olton & West Warwicks and Belper respectively. The day’s other game saw Ben Rhydding and Brooklands Poynton play out a 2-2 draw.
- Belper 1-2 Gloucester City
- Ben Rhydding 2-2 Brooklands Poynton
- Leicester City 2-3 University of Durham
- Olton & West Warwicks 1-2 Bowdon Hightown
- University of Nottingham 4-2 Stourport
Sevenoaks and Surbiton 2s sent out a strong statement in Division One South as they both recorded 4-0 victories over Wimbledon 2s and Canterbury respectively. Reading and Cambridge City also began in style as they secured 3-1 wins over Harleston Magpies and Trojans respectively. In the other game, two goals from Briony Anyon saw Slough beat Isca 2-0.
- Canterbury 0-4 Surbiton 2s
- Reading 3-1 Harleston Magpies
- Slough 2-0 Isca
- Trojans 1-3 Cambridge City
- Wimbledon 2s 0-4 Sevenoaks
Hampstead & Westminster 2s put in a sterling performance in their opening game of the Conference East as they beat Chelmsford 5-1. Southgate were similarly impressive as they beat Ipswich 4-0, while there were 2-0 victories for Barnes and London Wayfarers against Bromley & Beckenham and Canterbury 2s respectively. Horsham enjoyed a winning start to the season as they beat East London 1-0.
- Barnes 2-0 Bromley & Beckenham
- Chelmsford 1-5 Hampstead & Westminster 2s
- Horsham 1-0 East London
- Ipswich 0-4 Southgate
- London Wayfarers 2-0 Canterbury 2s
Sutton Coldfield moved to the top of the brand-new Conference Midlands by beating Cannock 5-1. University of Birmingham 2s were also victorious as they emerged 4-2 winners over Khalsa Leamington, while Beeston 2s overcame Broxborne 2-1. The other game played saw Bedford and St Albans draw 1-1.
- Bedford 1-1 St Albans
- Beeston 2s 2-1 Broxbourne
- Cannock 1-5 Sutton Coldfield
- Khalsa Leamington 2-4 University of Birmingham 2s
- Oxford University P-P Loughborough Students 2s
Timperley and the University of Durham 2s both recorded 3-1 victories to begin their Conference Northcampaign on the front foot. Timperley’s win came against Alderley Edge while Durham beat Pendle Forest. Neston also claimed three points as they beat Wakefield 2-1, while the other game played saw Fylde and Didsbury Northern play out a 0-0 draw.
- Alderley Edge 1-3 Timperley
- Fylde 0-0 Didsbury Northern
- Leeds P-P Doncaster
- University of Durham 2s 3-1 Pendle Forest
- Wakefield 1-2 Neston
Bristol Firebrands came from three goals down to win an 11-goal thriller against Witney 6-5 in the Conference West. Team Bath Buccs also secured three points as they beat Exe 3-1, a result replicated by Basingstoke as they beat the University of Bristol. Elsewhere, Cheltenham and Oxford Hawks also recorded victories, the former beating Clifton Robinsons 2-1 and the latter overcoming Penarth 1-0.
- Clifton Robinsons 2s 1-2 Cheltenham
- Oxford Hawks 1-0 Penarth
- Team Bath Buccs 3-1 Exe
- University of Bristol 1-3 Basingstoke
- Witney 5-6 Bristol Firebrands
Courtesy of England Hockey
