In the Vitality Women’s Premier Division, just two points separate the top four after another exciting day of action.
Title races and relegation battles took more twists and turns in Division 1 and the Conferences too, with no shortage of entertainment across the country.
Premier Division
The game of the weekend in the Vitality Women’s Premier Division came at Hampstead & Westminster as they were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Clifton Robinsons.
Hampstead, who were one of three teams level on points at the top of the table going into Saturday, were trailing 3-2 before Melanie’s Wilkinson’s 67th-minute goal brought them back on level terms.
East Grinstead also went into the weekend joint-top, along with Hampstead and Surbiton.
But their title hopes suffered a blow with a 3-0 reverse at home to Wimbledon. Katie Maxey opened the scoring for Wimbledon in only the second minute and Grinstead, despite their excellent recent form, were never able to recover.
Elsewhere in the top-flight, Beeston fought back to earn a draw at high-flying Surbiton through a penalty corner from Cerys Millerm after Maddie Long had put the hosts in front.
The third draw this weekend in the top-flight took place at Swansea, who were held at home by Holcombe.
The visitors led through Leisa Randall but Beth Wood’s 55th-minute strike earned Swansea what could be a crucial draw in their battle to avoid relegation.
University of Birmingham are the best placed of the bottom five courtesy of their 3-1 win at second-bottom Buckingham.
Vitality Women’s Premier Division – ‘Top 6’
- East Grinstead 0-3 Wimbledon
- Hampstead & Westminster 3-3 Clifton Robinsons
- Surbiton 1-1 Beeston
‘Bottom 5’
- Buckingham 1-3 University of Birmingham
- Swansea 1-1 Holcombe
Division One North
In an all-university clash, leaders Nottingham beat Durham by the odd goal in eight, winning 5-3. They remain a point clear of Bowdon, who won 2-1 at Ben Rhydding, while Stourport moved up to third following an excellent 3-0 victory at Belper. Leicester City beat Gloucester City 4-1 while Olton and West Warwicks were beaten 2-1 by Brooklands Poynton.
- Belper 0-3 Stourport
- Ben Rhydding 1-2 Bowdon Hightown
- Leicester City 4-1 Gloucester City
- Olton & West Warwicks 1-2 Brooklands Poynton
- University of Nottingham 5-3 University of Durham
Division One South
Having not registered a victory before Christmas, Trojans have now won two in two this year after toppling fellow strugglers Harleston Magpies in an exciting clash which went the way of the hosts 3-2. Leaders Sevenoaks won 3-0 at Canterbury to stay two points clear of Reading, who overcame Isca & University of Exeter by the same scoreline. Third-placed Slough and Wimbledon 2s both earned 1-0 home wins, over Surbiton 2s and Cambridge City respectively.
- Canterbury 0-3 Sevenoaks
- Reading 3-0 Isca
- Slough 1-0 Isca
- Trojans 3-2 Harleston Magpies
- Wimbledon 2s 1-0 Cambridge City
Conference East
Barnes stretched their lead at the summit to seven points after winning the top-of-the-table clash with Southgate by a goal to nil. Hampstead & Westminster 2s triumphed 3-2 at London Wayfarers to move to within two points of the third-placed side. Chelmsford’s clash with Bromley & Beckenham ended in a 1-1 stalemate, Horsham were comfortable 3-0 winners over Canterbury and East London won 2-1 at Ipswich.
- Barnes 1-0 Southgate
- Chelmsford 1-1 Bromley & Beckenham
- Horsham 3-0 Canterbury 2s
- Ipswich 1-2 East London
- London Wayfarers 2-3 Hampstead & Westminster 2s
Conference Midlands
Sutton Coldfield cemented their position at the top by winning 2-0 at second-placed Bedford, extending their advantage to six points. Third-placed St Albans got back on track after consecutive defeats, beating Khalsa Leamington 2-0, and Beeston 2s secured a 2-1 win at Loughborough Students 2s. The biggest winners of the day were Oxford University thanks to a 7-0 thrashing of Broxbourne, while Cannock were beaten 2-1 at home by University of Birmingham 2s.
- Bedford 0-2 Sutton Coldfield
- Beeston 2s 2-1 Loughborough Students
- Cannock 1-2 University of Birmingham
- Khalsa Leamington 0-2 St Albans
- Oxford University 7-0 Broxbourne
Conference North
Wakefield secured an excellent home success over Timperley, winning 4-1 to move into second. Leaders Leeds also were victorious on home soil, picking up a 2-1 win at Didsbury North. Bottom of the table Neston picked up a crucial 3-2 away win at Alderley Edge, while Fylde got past Pendle Forest on their own turf 2-1. Doncaster were the only team other than Neston to win on the road, securing a 3-1 win at University of Durham 2s.
- Alderley Edge 2-3 Neston
- Fylde 2-1 Pendle Forest
- Leeds 2-1 Didsbury Northern
- University of Durham 2s 1-3 Doncaster
- Wakefield 4-1 Timperley
Conference West
Oxford Hawks picked up a 3-2 win over Bristol Firebands in the standout clash from the Conference West division, leapfrogging their visitors into second in the process. The biggest winners of weekend though were Exe, who won 5-1 at University of Bristol. Leaders Witney beat Penarth 3-0 and Clifton Robinsons 2s also secured an important victory, beating Basingstoke 2-1 at home.
- Oxford Hawks 3-2 Bristol Firebrands
- Team Bath Buccs 1-1 Cheltenham
- University of Bristol 1-5 Exe
- Witney 3-0 Penarth
With thanks to England Hockey
