Old Georgians Move Closer To Premier Division Title With Wimbledon And Surbiton Also Victorious

Photo Credit: Simon Parker

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Old Georgians sealed European hockey for next season and remain top of the men’s Premier Division after a 4-1 win over Hampstead & Westminster.

Sam Ward scored twice with Chris Griffiths and Chris Proctor also netting for the visitors, Matthew Guise-Brown scoring a late consolation for the hosts.

The win means Old Georgians will play in Europe for the very first time, and remain ten points clear in their quest for the title.

Wimbledon maintained a slim chance of taking the title themselves after a 5-1 win over Holcombe.

Ed Horler starred with a hat-trick for the hosts with Duncan Scott and Ben Arnold also on the scoresheet in a convincing win, Holcombe’s only goal coming through Thomas Russell.

Meanwhile, Surbiton were ruthless in a 9-1 win over East Grinstead.

Rob Farrington scored twice for Surbiton, with Jack Middleton, David Goodfield, Ben Park, Tim Nurse, Jamie Golden, Nick Park and Alex Williams netting on a fruitful day for the club. East Grinstead’s sole strike came through Jamie Wallace. 

In the Bottom 5, University of Exeter kept their hopes of survival alive for another week with a 3-1 win over Durham University on home soil.

Durham went 1-0 up through Max Borrmann, before Jack Taylor, Elliot Sanderson and Billy Collins struck for the hosts to seal a vital win.

However, Brooklands Manchester University also won to stay ahead of Exeter in the battle to avoid relegation.

Brooklands beat Beeston 2-1 on their travels to maintain their nine-point advantage, Felix Tully and Andrew Jackson scoring late on to seal victory after the hosts opened the scoring through Brendan Andrews. 

Division One North

University of Nottingham remain top of Division One North following a 6-1 win against Olton & West Warwicks, with Loughborough Students just two points behind after a 4-2 win over Deeside Ramblers.

Cardiff & Met picked up a big 6-1 win away at Sheffield Hallam, while Bowdon defeated City of Peterborough 6-3 meaning the relegation battle between City of Peterborough, Deeside Ramblers and Sheffield Hallam is still very tight. Elsewhere, University of Birmingham beat Cambridge City 3-1.

Division One South

Canterbury surged back into title contention after beating Team Bath Buccaneers 2-1, with league leaders Reading losing 1-0 at home to Southgate. Victory means that Canterbury are now level on points with Reading at the top, with Team Bath Buccs just one point behind. Oxford Hawks picked up a comfortable 4-1 win over Brighton & Hove, who are now relegated, while Sevenoaks beat Teddington 4-2. Meanwhile, Old Cranleighan and Havant contested a tight 1-1 draw.

Conference East

Old Loughtonians moved a step closer to the Conference East title after sealing a 2-1 win against London Edwardians, though Spencer’s 4-1 victory against Indian Gymkhana means they could still contend. However, Richmond’s chances of overhauling Old Loughtonians were ended after they failed to beat Hampstead & Westminster 2s, the sides playing out a 2-2 draw. With London Edwardians losing and Bromley & Beckenham falling 2-1 to Wapping, West Herts’ 2-2 draw on the road against London Wayfarers moves them just a point behind at the bottom of the table.

Conference Midlands

Khalsa Leamington are officially relegated after a 4-2 defeat to Bedford was coupled with a 1-1 draw between University of Birmingham 2s and Cambridge University. Meanwhile, a 7-0 win for Barford Tigers against St Albans effectively seals them the title, though it is still mathematically possible they could be overhauled by Harborne after they comfortably beat Lichfield 5-0. Elsewhere, there was a solid 2-0 win for Harleston Magpies over Loughborough Town.

Conference North

Belper did not have the opportunity to boost their position at the top of the table, with their match against Wakefield postponed due to a covid outbreak in the Wakefield dressing room. A 4-2 win for Timperley over Preston means they now top the table by one point although they have played an extra game. Beeston 2s boosted their chances of survival with a significant 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Alderley Edge, while there was a big 2-1 win for fellow relegation contenders Durham University 2s versus Didsbury Northern. Elsewhere, Leeds solidified their mid-table position with a 3-1 win over Doncaster.

Conference West

University of Bristol moved closer to the Conference West title after a 4-2 win over Cardiff University though their nearest challengers remain in touch, Isca beating Cheltenham 4-2 and Fareham edging out Chichester 3-2. University of Exeter 2s moved away from relegation with a 2-1 win over Ashmoor, while Clifton Robinsons defeated Plymouth Marjon 6-1. Cheltenham are all but relegated, but could mathematically catch up with Cardiff University and Plymouth Marjon.