Premier Division Review - 12th April

There was a shock result in Women’s Pool B where Loughborough Students won 4-3 at champions Surbiton to throw the pool wide open. Ellie Mackenzie and Holly Payne put Surbiton 2-0 up in the first quarter and all looked to be going to form. However, Olivia Breed and Mhairi Low pulled it back to 2-2 at the break. Sophie Hamilton converted a corner for Surbiton five minutes into the second half but goals in the final quarter from Beth Alexander (Penalty Stroke) and Amy Cradden (penalty corner) secured an amazing win. Reading now top the pool after a 7-0 win over Clifton Robinsons with six different players finding the net in a 35-minute goal blitz between the 22-55 minutes. Any two of the three teams could qualify for the finals depending on results in the last round. 

Women’s Pool A proved more straightforward with narrow second wins for Hampstead & Westminster and East Grinstead securing their places at the finals. 

Hampstead trailed Wimbledon after a goal on half time from Flora Peel, but two Tyler Lynch strikes earned them a 2-1 win. East Grinstead raced to a three-goal advantage over Bowdon with goals from Tess Howard and Biba Mills (2) inside 21 minutes. Alia Jaques pulled one back three minutes later and another with six minutes left but Bowdon couldn’t find the equaliser. 

The Relegation Pool had already been decided but a Sarah Parkinson -Mills hat-trick made it seven unbeaten for Birmingham University in a 3-2 win over Nottingham University and in the battle of the two relegated teams Holcombe beat Sutton Coldfield 2-1.

Surbiton made it two wins out of two in Pool B beating Oxted 5-2 and secure their place at Nottingham. Rob Farrington gave Surbiton the lead, but Oxted went 2-1 up with goals from Oliver Bennett and Owen Williamson. Surbiton powered back with Barry Middleton, Nick Nurse, Stuart Rushmere & Gareth Furlong all on target to take the win.  

Holcombe earned a crucial three points in their fight to reach the finals with a 4-3 win over Beeston. Beeston led 3-1 at half time but were pegged back by Holcombe and Teague Marcano sealed a 4-3 with his third goal just four minutes from time. Beeston can’t qualify and the other place is between Oxted and Holcombe.  

In Pool A there were comfortable second wins for Old Georgians and Wimbledon which mean they qualify for the finals. 

Old Georgians beat Hampstead & Westminster 4-0 with goals from Kyle Marshall, Alan Forsyth, Phil Roper & Sam Ward. Wimbledon were 5-2 winners over East Grinstead including a hat trick from Wimbledon’s Euan Gilmour.  

In the relegation pool a fine 3-1 win for Bowdon at Southgate keeps their hopes of avoiding the drop mathematically alive. Cardiff & Met beat relegated Richmond 4-3.