After moving up into third spot in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division following a good away win last weekend, East Grinstead are preparing to face the team they replaced in the play-off spots this Sunday.

Holcombe dropped from third to fifth following a 2-1 loss at Jaffa Super 6s indoor winners Bowdon Hightown last weekend and will be keen to get back to winning ways and reclaim their place along the top four teams.

But East Grinstead – who had to settle for a goalless draw with Holcombe when the sides met back in September – could move up to second on Saturday.

“It’s very tight at the top,” said East Grinstead 1st XI manager Tony Crisp. “Apart from Surbiton at the top, the next few are all separated by just a few points so it’s going to be another close finish.

“Holcombe will be a tough match as they all are at this level, but we had a good win last weekend at Slough and our three new signings are settling in well,” said Crisp, referring to former GB and England international Chloe Palmer, as well as Kate Kernaghan and Jenny Storey from New Zealand.

“Our training has been a bit disrupted with frozen pitches earlier in the week, but we will be ready for Saturday.”

Elsewhere in the top flight the University of Birmingham go to Bowdon Hightown as they bid to hold on to second place, while leaders Surbiton welcome bottom of the table Canterbury to Sugden Road.

Currently fourth, Buckingham will want to bounce back from last weekend’s bruising 4-0 loss at the University of Birmingham with a win at home against Leicester, while Clifton Robinsons and Slough – who have just three wins each so far – face each other.

In the Investec Women’s Conference East leaders Hampstead & Westminster play Cambridge City, while second-placed Sevenoaks face a tough match against third-placed Wimbledon.

 

FIXTURES

Saturday, February 10 2018

Investec Women’s Hockey League

Investec Premier Division

Buckingham v Leicester 12:00

Clifton Robinsons v Slough 13:00

Bowdon Hightown v Univ of Birmingham 13:45

Surbiton v Canterbury 14:00

Holcombe v East Grinstead 16:00

 

Investec Conference East

St Albans v Southgate 13:00

Hampstead & Westminster v Cambridge City 13:30

Harleston Magpies v Chelmsford 14:00

Bedford v Barnes 14:30

Sevenoaks v Wimbledon 17:00

 

League leaders Surbiton play host to strugglers Canterbury in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division, while third-placed Reading will want to keep hold of their position with a win over Sevenoaks on Saturday evening.

Currently fourth, East Grinstead could leapfrog Reading if they win at Holcombe, while in the top flight’s other match this weekend Brooklands MU are at home against Hampstead & Westminster.

FIXTURES

Saturday, February 10 2018

Men’s Premier Division

Wimbledon v Beeston 13:30

Holcombe v East Grinstead 18:00

Reading v Sevenoaks 18:00

Sunday, February 11 2018

 

Men’s Premier Division

Brooklands MU v Hampstead & Westminster 14:00

Surbiton v Canterbury 14:00