Buckingham suffer 6th successive defeat

Vitality Women’s and Men’s Hockey League Premier Division Review – 4/5 December 2021

Phase One of both Premier Divisions were finally completed this weekend as Buckingham travelled to the University of Birmingham in the Vitality Women’s Hockey League on Saturday and Brooklands Manchester University hosted Holcombe in the Men’s Hockey League on Sunday

Buckingham slipped to their sixth successive defeat with a 2-1 loss at the University of Birmingham, who finished two points adrift of sixth placed Clifton Robinsons. Buckingham trailed 2-0, Millie Attwell putting the students ahead with a 22^nd minute penalty corner conversion and Becky Manton doubling the lead from open play in the 39^th minute. Kitty Higgins converted a penalty corner in the 51^st minute, but Buckingham finished Phase 1 in tenth place, two points behind ninth placed Holcombe.

Brooklands Manchester University lost their fifth game in the last six as Holcombe won 8-2 in the North West. Nick Bandurak opened the scoring for Holcombe in the 8^th minute, but Brooklands responded immediately, Jack Artist equalising in the 10^th minute. Holcombe led 3-1 at half time, Barry Middleton restoring the visitors’ lead in the 28^th minute and Dan Edwards scoring the third goal in the 32^nd minute.

James Davies added the fourth goal immediately after half time, but Peter Flanagan replied for Brooklands with a 48^th minute penalty corner conversion to make the score 4-2. Holcombe responded with four goals in a seven minute spell, Harry Trusler scoring in the 53^rd minute, Middleton completing a hat-trick with goals in the 55^th and 60^th minutes and Jake Owen scoring a minute before Middleton’s hat-trick goal, all ten goals at Brooklands coming from open play.

Holcombe closed to within three points of the top four with their victory, whilst Brooklands remained in tenth place, one point behind ninth placed University of Durham and a further point behind eighth placed Beeston.