(Digest from weekly roundup from EH Newsletter)
The weekend saw Leicester secure their European place and teams secure their places in the EHL Championships. In the Conferences Sevenoaks and Buckingham Women’s were confirmed as Champions and confirmed places in the EHL Promotion Tournament 30 April – 2 May.
Cannock still possesses a slim hope of avoiding the possibility of relegation in the play-offs as they remain 3 points behind Olton & WW. Cannock lost 4-3 against Clifton a game in which Cannock could have moved above their opponents with a win. Instead, Clifton confirmed their place in the Premier Division next season, therefore, avoiding the play-offs they survived from last season.
Olton & WW’s 8-0 loss away at EuroCanterbury, in which Sarah Kerly scored three, means that the West Midlands side has an inferior goal difference to Cannock. Both Olton & WW and Cannock are set for a nervy last weekend as a result with Olton needing just a draw for survival and Cannock needing a win for the chance of surviving. The win for EuroCanterbury guarantees that they will host the third placed qualifying side on Sunday 3 April in the EHL Championships.
Brooklands- Poynton, already relegated, lost 3-1 at home against local rivals Bowdon Hightown. Fay Nash scored twice to set her side up for the victory which takes Hightown three points ahead of Slough and guarantees them a place in the EHL Championships. Although Slough lost 2-1 at Reading they sewed up the final EHL Championships qualification place - with the potential to move up to fourth with a win, and other results going their way.
Reading’s Alex Danson scored her 100th National league goal during the victory which increased their run of wins to nine. University of Birmingham’s hopes of making the EHL Championships were smashed by a gun slinging show from Leicester. They conceded seven and were unable to reply as Crista Cullen and Rebecca Herbert both scored twice for the table topping side. Leicester has confirmed their participation in Europe for next season and a home draw in the EHL Championships on Sunday 3 April. They will host the winner of the 4th v 5th EHL Championships game on Saturday
2 April as they look to upgrade their European seeding and challenge for the Championship.
Women’s Conference East Champions were confirmed as Sevenoaks on Sunday after they narrowly beat Harleston Magpies 1-0 thanks to Heather Batten’s 52nd minute strike. Chelmsford and Surbiton both won but Sevenoaks’ win made the lead four points with only three to play for. Dereham were relegated after they lost 5-0 to Chelmsford and Cambridge City managed a draw against Old Loughtonians. Though a good result for Cambridge, failing to win means they become the first team to be named in the relegation play-offs.
Buckingham will meet Sevenoaks at the EHL Promotion Tournament after wrapping up Women’s Conference West with EHB Competitions & Events Manager Stephen Barlow on hand to present the trophy and medals. They recorded a 4-0 victory over Swansea at Stowe School and maintained their four point lead at the top. Firebrands registered a vital 2-1 win over Exe that secured their safety in the EHL. As a result of Staines’ 3-0 win over relegated Worcester, Exe dropped into the relegation play-off place with the two teams meeting this Sunday in a fixture that will decide the team participating in the relegation play-offs.
