England Hockey League 2023/24: Weekend 10 Review

Saturday’s freezing temperatures nationwide saw an almost total wipeout of the Women's England Hockey League fixture list with only a small pocket of warmth in the Thames Valley meaning the Division One South mid-table game between Slough and Sevenoaks survived. Sevenoaks won this 2-0 thanks to goals from Emily Barrett and Lily Elliott.

The replayed East London – London Wayfarers answersmash game in Conference East, postponed from last weekend did go ahead on Sunday. Wayfarers came out on top 3-1 with Emmie le Marchand scoring twice and cut the gap to Guildford at the top to a point.

A few more games went ahead in the Men’s EHL as temperatures increased in some parts of the country on Sunday.

Although the Division One North programme was completely decimated, four out of five games survived in Division One South with the only game not played, leaders Richmond’s away game at Sevenoaks. Exeter University moved to within two points of Richmond thanks to a 5-1 defeat of Canterbury who have slipped to fourth in the table after three defeats in four games. Ollie Drummond, Nick Nurse, Harry Markham and Lewis Wilcher (2) scored for Exeter with Nathan Foughy netting a consolation for the visitors.   Mark Loughrey scored twice as Old Loughtonians went third beating Teddington 4-1 and Will Heywood did likewise in Old Cranleighan’s 3-1 win at bottom of the table Brighton & Hove.   In the battle to avoid a relegation spot Team Bath Buccaneers had an important 4-2 win over Havant to go above them on goal difference.

There were no games played in Conference North and the only game to survive in Conference East saw front-runners Indian Gymkhana extend their lead at the top to five points thanks to 5-1 win at Hampstead & Westminster 2s. James Tindall netted a hat trick for Gymkhana and Amraj Soor and Jagdev Bal also on target. 

Two games survived in Conference Midlands and there was a surprise as leaders Nottingham University 2s went down 4-1 at Barford Tigers. Manvi Sokhi, Isaac Farmilo and Vaughn Watson put Tigers 3-0 up and although Archie Gallimore pulled a goal back, a second Watson goal made the game safe.  Bottom of the table City of Peterborough saw hopes of a point at Banbury dashed by Will Crowfoot’s 69^th minute goal to secure a 2-1 win for the home team.  

It was warmer in the West and a full programme played. Both the top two drew to see the top of the table tighten up going into the Christmas break. Leaders Bristol University were held to a 2-2 draw by Isca. Tom Harris gave the students the lead but Ted Vian and Cuthbert Shepherd replied, the latter with just seven minutes to go, however a Will Jones goal meant honours were even. Second placed Oxford Hawks game with bottom of the table Plymouth Marjon ended with the same score line. Plymouth held a 2-0 half time advantage thanks to goals from Matt’s Bell and Butt but Hawks fought back with goals from Jack Hobbs and Austin Greenlee. A four goal first half blast saw Clifton Robinsons win 4-1 at Ashmoor and move up to third, just three points off the top.  Fareham gained an important 2-1 win at Cheltenham to go three points clear of the Gloucestershire side who are ninth. Chichester won at Exter University 2s by the same score.