Darcy Bourne’s fine form continued as she helped Surbiton power to an impressive 7-1 win over Beeston to remain top of the Vitality Women’s Premier Division.
Having scored hat-tricks in her past two matches, she scored four as Surbiton extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches. Georgie Twigg, Maddie Long and Alice Sharp were also on the scoresheet for Surbiton while Lucy Millington was on target for the hosts.
East Grinstead sit just four points behind Surbiton after a significant 2-1 win over Wimbledon. Sophie Bray put East Grinstead ahead before Olivia Chilton’s leveller, only for Bray to score a second to see her side claim victory.
Meanwhile, there was also a crucial win for Hampstead & Westminster, who triumphed 5-1 over Clifton Robinsons for just their second win since the league resumed.
Jasmine Clark, Fran Tew, Lauren Turner, Lucy Hyams and Grace Balsdon all struck for the visitors, with Livvy Hoskins scoring a consolation for Clifton Robinsons.
In the Bottom 5, Swansea are still yet to win after falling to a 3-0 defeat to Buckingham. Lottie Porter struck twice for the hosts, with Lauren Thomas also on target as Buckingham move to 15 points.
They are just two points behind University of Birmingham, who were also victorious with a 3-1 win over Loughborough Students. Becky Manton and two Lexie Clark efforts sealed a comfortable win, the visitors grabbing a consolation through Ellie Mackenzie.
Vitality Women’s Premier Division – ‘Top 6’
- Beeston 1-7 Surbiton
- Clifton Robinsons 1-5 Hampstead & Westminster
- Wimbledon 1-2 East Grinstead
‘Bottom 5’
- Buckingham 3-0 Swansea
- University of Birmingham 3-1 Loughborough Students
Division One North
University of Nottingham maintained their slender lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Ben Rhydding, a tenth win in a row for the side. However, they remain only one point ahead of Bowdon who defeated Belper 3-0. Durham University picked up a comfortable 4-0 win on their visit to Brooklands Poynton, while Leicester City defeated Stourport 2-0 as Gloucester City and Olton & West Warwickshire contested a 1-1 draw. Those results for Belper and Olton & West Warwickshire leave them all but mathematically relegated.
- Belper 0-3 Bowdon
- Brooklands Poynton 0-4 Durham University
- Gloucester City 1-1 Olton & West Warwickshire
- Stourport 0-2 Leicester City
- University of Nottingham 3-1 Ben Rhydding
Division One South
Reading now hold a six-point lead in the league after a comfortable 4-0 win over bottom side Trojans. Closest rivals Sevenoaks fell to a shock 3-2 defeat to Cambridge City, who had not scored in four matches prior to the contest. Slough moved to within one point of Sevenoaks after a 5-2 win over Wimbledon 2s while Surbiton 2s defeated Harleston Magpies 4-2. Isca & University of Exeter and Canterbury contested a 0-0 draw.
- Cambridge City 3-2 Sevenoaks
- Harleston Magpies 2-4 Surbiton 2s
- Isca & University of Exeter 0-0 Canterbury
- Reading 4-0 Trojans
- Wimbledon 2s 2-5 Slough
Conference East
A 3-0 defeat to Bromley & Beckenham meant Canterbury 2s have been relegated in what was a must-win match. Meanwhile, league leaders Barnes were comfortable 3-1 winners over East London to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches, and now hold a seven-point lead after closest rivals Southgate and London Wayfarers played out a 2-2 draw. Elsewhere, Ipswich ended Chelmsford’s five-match unbeaten run with a 3-0 victory while Hampstead & Westminster 2s defeated Horsham 3-0.
- Barnes 3-1 East London
- Canterbury 2s 0-3 Bromley & Beckenham
- Horsham 0-3 Hampstead & Westminster 2s
- Ipswich 3-0 Chelmsford
- Southgate 2-2 London Wayfarers
Conference Midlands
Sutton Coldfield maintained their six-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over University of Birmingham 2s, though closest rivals Bedford eased past Broxbourne 8-2. Broxbourne are now winless in seven matches and are bottom of the table after Khalsa Leamington beat Beeston 2s 1-0. Loughborough Students 2s defeated Cannock 4-2 while there was a welcome 2-1 win for Oxford University against St Albans.
- Beeston 2s 0-1 Khalsa Leamington
- Broxbourne 2-8 Bedford
- Loughborough Students 2s 4-2 Cannock
- Oxford University 2-1 St Albans
- University of Birmingham 2s 1-3 Sutton Coldfield
Conference North
A 2-0 win for Leeds against Alderley Edge extended their unbeaten run to seven games as they remain seven points clear at the top of the Conference North, with their closest contenders Wakefield picking up a 1-0 win over Doncaster. Pendle Forest picked up a crucial 3-0 win against Timperley in their fight for survival, with league rivals Neston losing 4-2 to Fylde. Elsewhere, Durham University 2s picked up a 1-0 victory over Didsbury Northern.
- Durham University 2s 1-0 Didsbury Northern
- Leeds 2-0 Alderley Edge
- Neston 2-4 Fylde
- Timperley 0-3 Pendle Forest
- Doncaster 0-1 Wakefield
Conference West
Team Bath Buccaneers moved just one point from the top of the table thanks to a 5-1 win over already-relegated University of Bristol, with league leaders Witney held to a 3-3 draw by Basingstoke. Bristol Firebrands are just four points off the summit after a narrow 3-2 win over Exe, while Cheltenham were also 3-2 winners in their contest against Penarth. Elsewhere, Clifton Robinsons 2s were comfortable 3-0 winners over Oxford Hawks.
- Bristol Firebrands 3-2 Exe
- Cheltenham 3-2 Penarth
- Clifton Robinsons 2s 3-0 Oxford Hawks
- Team Bath Buccaneers 5-1 University of Bristol
- Witney 3-3 Basingstoke
With thanks to England Hockey
