EHL Hockey League Week 19 2023 Matchday Review

The VWHL saw not only intense matches and dramatic comebacks but also a new top goal scorer for the season. Surbiton's Sophie Hamilton, who scored a crucial goal in the match against East Grinstead, took her tally to 16 goals for the season, making her the league's overall top goal scorer.

Hamilton's impressive performance throughout the season played a vital role in Surbiton securing their spot in the league finals. As the top goal scorer, she will undoubtedly be a player to watch during the finals, with fans and opponents alike keeping a close eye on her exceptional skills and goal-scoring prowess.

In Pool A, Surbiton and East Grinstead emerged as the top two teams. Surbiton defeated East Grinstead 2-1 in a hard-fought match, with goals from Leah Wilkinson and Sophie Hamilton, while Liv Breed scored for East Grinstead. Surbiton finished at the top of Pool A with a perfect record of three wins.

The match between the University of Birmingham and Beeston ended in a 2-2 draw, with Millie Giglio and Betsan Thomas scoring for the University of Birmingham, and Rosy Stephens and Cerys Millar finding the net for Beeston. However, the match was decided on a shootout, which the University of Birmingham won 3-1, placing them in third place and Beeston at the bottom of Pool A.

In Pool B, Clifton Robinsons and Hampstead & Westminster secured their spots in the league finals. Clifton Robinsons made an impressive comeback from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the University of Nottingham 4-3, with Amy Burton scoring a brace, Livvy Hoskins converting a penalty stroke, and Eloise Laity adding another goal from a penalty corner. Maddie Axford scored twice and Merle Knobloch added one more for the University of Nottingham. Clifton Robinsons finished at the top of Pool B with three consecutive victories.

Hampstead & Westminster defeated Wimbledon 2-1, with Lucy Hyams and Grace Balsdon scoring the goals for Hampstead & Westminster, while Beth Bingham scored from a penalty corner for Wimbledon. Hampstead & Westminster secured second place in Pool B, while Wimbledon finished third.

In the Playoffs, Loughborough Students and Reading ended their match in a 2-2 draw. Ellie Mackenzie and Lorna Mackenzie scored for Loughborough Students, while Emma Thomas and Abbie Dixon found the net for Reading. Loughborough Students finished at the top of the Playoffs standings, followed by Reading in second place.

Buckingham secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Holcombe, with Jo Day scoring the decisive goal. Despite the win, Buckingham finished at the bottom of the Playoffs standings and now face relegation to Division 1, along with the opponents Holcombe, who entered the game with their fate in their own hands, needing a win to avoid relegation.

The final day of the Men's Hockey League Premier Division was filled with excitement, showcasing the best of English hockey. High-scoring matches and intense competition took center stage as teams battled for crucial points on the last day of the season. The results from the final day were as follows:

Beeston 2-4 Hampstead & Westminster

Old Georgians 3-2 Holcombe

Oxted 3-2 Reading

Surbiton 4-4 Wimbledon (Surbiton won 3-1 on a shootout)

East Grinstead 1-2 University of Exeter

Brooklands Manchester Uni 2-5 University of Nottingham

Old Georgians managed to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Holcombe, with Sam Ward starring in the match. Ward scored twice, including a penalty corner in the 17th minute. Tom Carson opened the scoring for Old Georgians, while Tim Guise-Brown and Tom O'Keeffe scored for Holcombe.

In an action-packed match between Surbiton and Wimbledon, the teams shared the spoils with a thrilling 4-4 draw. Ed Horler netted a brace for Wimbledon, while David Goodfield, Rob Farrington, Luke Taylor, and Tom Sorsby scored for Surbiton. Ben Francis and Rhys Bradshaw also found the net for Wimbledon. Surbiton came out on top in the ensuing shootout, winning 3-1.

Hampstead & Westminster triumphed over Beeston with a 4-2 victory, thanks to goals from Rupert Shipperley, Kei Kaeppeler, and a brace from Sam French. Shipperley opened the scoring with a penalty corner in the 4th minute, while Sam Apoola and Alasdair Richmond responded for Beeston.

Oxted managed to edge past Reading in a closely contested match, finishing 3-2. Bradley Sherwood and Cam Heald scored early goals for Oxted, while Tom Minall and Matt Richards found the net for Reading. Chris Porter secured the win for Oxted with a goal in the 66th minute.

The University of Exeter pulled off an upset against East Grinstead, winning 2-1. Ollie Shelton and Seb Ansley scored for Exeter, while Ollie Lander was on the scoresheet for East Grinstead. However, with results elsewhere not going in favour of Exeter, despite the final day victory, UOE will be playing Division 1 South Hockey next season.

The University of Nottingham dominated Brooklands Manchester University with a 5-2 victory. Ed Brice, Louis Tipper, Hugh Page, and Charlie Axford were among the goal scorers for Nottingham. Peter Flanagan and Harry Tomkins scored consolation goals for Brooklands.

With the final day of the season now behind us, teams will reflect on their performances and prepare for the next campaign. The drama and excitement of the Men's Hockey League Premier Division's final day only served to solidify its reputation as one of the most competitive and entertaining hockey leagues in the world. Fans eagerly await the next season and the new challenges it will bring for their favourite teams.