WHL Premier Division Review – 17/18 October
East Grinstead opened up a three point lead at the top of the Premier Division, whilst Holcombe come from behind in Bristol.
East Grinstead extended their unbeaten run to 20 games with a 2-1 win away to Hampstead & Westminster on Sunday. Ellie Rayer opened the scoring in the fourth minute at Lee Valley with Sophie Bray adding a second goal five minutes into the second half. Lauren Turner gave Hampstead hope with seven minutes to play, but East Grinstead returned to West Sussex with all three points.
Loughborough Students missed out on the opportunity to go top of the table after their home game with Beeston was postponed on Saturday, but they have a game in hand over East Grinstead.
Surbiton were without a league game because they were due to compete in the Euro Hockey League over the weekend, and Wimbledon took full advantage to move above them into third thanks to their 2-0 home win over the University of Birmingham. Wimbledon had to wait until the second half to break the deadlock through Anna Toman in the 46th minute, with Lucy Holder scoring their second goal nine minutes from time. Birmingham went a third game in succession without scoring.
Holcombe thwarted Clifton Robinsons’ hopes of moving above Surbiton, coming from 1-0 down to win 3-2 in Bristol. Ashley Mainwaring put Clifton ahead in the sixth minute, but Holcombe led 2-1 at half time after Agueda Moroni Melgarejo equalised in the 22nd minute and Beth Bingham gave them the lead for the first time four minutes later. Lorna Jane Cruickshank extended Holcombe’s lead three minutes after the interval with Clifton only able to respond through Kathryn Lane with four minutes to play.
Swansea made history when Jess Roe scored the first goal for a Welsh club in the Premier Division in the 38th minute of their clash at Buckingham. However, Swansea lost their fifth match of the campaign 3-1, Lottie Porter scoring for the hosts in the fourth minute before Abbie Brant notched a brace with goals in the 13th and 58th minutes.
Images: SmifSports
