For the second week running, men’s Premier 1 leaders Cannock had a tough battle to pick up three points but they survived a strong fightback by Hampstead to win 4-3. Cannock looked comfortable at 4-1 with 20 minutes to go but two Chris Ambridge goals gave Hampstead the hope of a point which would have prove useful as results elsewhere meant they drop into the play off spots after sitting in fourth place at the mid-season break.
Second-placed Reading enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win at Firebrands with Andy Watts scoring twice, but third-placed Loughborough were beaten 4-2 at Surbiton for whom Matt Daly netted a hat-trick.
Old Loughtonians won an important relegation battle against Teddington 3-2, while Canterbury, who also needed points to avoid the drop, picked up a useful point in a 3-3 draw with Chelmsford thanks to two late corner conversions from Chris Pryce.
Luckless St Albans were beaten 8-0 at Guildford and their relegation is now confirmed.
Ipswich remain one point clear at the top of women’s Premier 1 after a hard fought 2-1 win at struggling Doncaster. Second-placed Fyffes Leicester ended Olton’s recent good run and surely any play off hopes with a 4-2 victory which saw all goals scored in an incident packed first half.
Third played fourth, with Canterbury’s 0-0 draw with Chelmsford allowing the sides chasing a play off place to gain ground. However Slough failed to take advantage as they were thrashed 5-0 by Bowdon Hightown who moved within five points of Canterbury. Tina Cullen, who has been off colour for the last couple of weeks, bounced back with a hat-trick.
At the foot of the table, two Helen Grant goals helped Clifton to an important 2-0 win over Harleston to move them three points clear of the Norfolk side in the process. Sutton Coldfield picked up their first point of the season at the 18th attempt, drawing 0-0 with Trojans which keeps the latter just one place above them.
Results
Women’s Premier 1
Bowdon Hightown 5 defeated Slough 0
Goals: Bowdon Hightown - Nicky O’Donnell PC 37m, Tina Cullen FG 43m, PC 55m, FG 56m, Nadine Merabi FG 50m
Canterbury 0 drew Chelmsford 0
Clifton 2 defeated Harleston Magpies 0
Goals: Clifton - Helen Grant FG 28m FG 32m
Ipswich 2 defeated Doncaster 1
Goals: Ipswich - Cathy Gilliat-Smith PC 13m, Millie Sharp FG 32m; Doncaster - Charlotte Tomlin 15 (PC)
Fyffes Leicester 4 defeated Olton & West Warwicks 2
Goals: Fyffes Leicester - Jennie Bimson FG 11m, Hannah Smith PC 22m, Crista Cullen PC 24m, Rebecca Herbert FG 32m; Olton & West Warwicks - Rachel Walker PC 15m, Naomi James PC 26m
Sutton Coldfield 0 drew Trojans 0
Men
Canterbury 4 drew Chelmsford 4
Goals: Canterbury - Robert Playford FG 8m, Huw Stevens FG 41m, Chris Pryce PC 62m PC 69m; Chelmsford - Gareth Carr PC 26m PC 39m PC 43m; Craig Fulton PS 60m
Reading 4 defeated Firebrands 0
Goals: Reading - Rob Todd PC 16m, Andy Watts FG 53m FG 65m, Scott Ashdown FG 70m
Guildford 8 defeated St Albans 0
Goals: Guildford - Ian Jennings PC 4m, Danny Hall FG 7m PC 28m FG 49m FG 54m, Jason Ward-Horner FG 34m, Tom Norman PC 47m, Andy Whalley FG 68m
Cannock 4 defeated Hampstead & Westminster 3
Goals: Cannock - Simon Ramsden PC 12m PC 39m, Barry Middleton FG 13m, Andy West FG 43m; Hampstead & Westminster - Will Nurse PC 32m, Chris Ambridge FG 51m FG 67m
Old Loughtonians 3 defeated Teddington 2
Goals: Old Loughtonians - Michael Hughes PC 8m PC 12m, James Stedman PC 63m; Teddington - Chua Boon Huat PC 4m PC 46m
Surbiton 4 defeated Loughborough Students 2
Goals: Surbiton - James Burns FG 5m, Matt Daly PC 26m FG 56m PC 62m
Points Table
Women
Ipswich 44 points
Fyffes Leicester 43
Chelmsford 37
Canterbury 36
Slough 33
Bowdon Hightown 31
Olton & West Warwicks 29
Clifton 17
Harleston Magpies 14
Doncaster 13
Trojans 12
Sutton Coldfield 1
Men
Cannock 47 points
Reading 44
Loughborough Students 33
Guildford 31
Surbiton 28
Chelmsford 25
Canterbury 23
Old Loughtonians 23
Hampstead & Warwicks 21
Firebrands 15
Teddington 13
St Albans 0
