After a positive and relatively successful return to Super 6s Premier Division hockey, Holcombe begin Phase Two of their outdoor Premier Division campaign against Sutton Coldfield on Saturday (14:30).

Brad Read’s side will want to build on the positives from their last outdoor performance in the league, a well-earned point against the University of Nottingham at Holcombe Park,

Bolstered by the return of former Scotland captain, double Olympian and Holcombe player Sarah Robertson, the Incredible Holcs will want to secure three points and take their points tally into double figures.

The team will also be keen to utilise support from the home crowd in an important match.

Each of the Lower Six meet once in Phase Two, with this the first of five matches. Following that, the top two of the Lower Six join the Top Six and split into two pools of four with each team meeting once. The bottom four of the Lower Six carry their points into Phase Three and play each other once, with the bottom two ultimately regelated to Division One.

Depending on other results, a victory could see Holcombe climb above Bowdon and University of Nottingham.

In the Phase One game in October at the Wyndley Leisure Centre, the Midlands team secured their only point late on in the game with a 67th-minute equaliser. Holcombe will be empowered to ensure that they take full advantage of Holcombe Park and not suffer the same consequence.

Holcs have made good use of the winter break with friendlies against Surbiton and Dutch touring team Myra Dames.

In the other Phase Two games in the lower half of the Premier Division, Bowdon face a home tie against seventh-placed Clifton Robinsons and in the other tie, it is an all-university affair with University of Nottingham travelling to University of Birmingham.

lsewhere in the top half of the Women’s Premier Division, Phase Two begins with current league leaders Hampstead and Westminster facing Loughborough Students at the Paddington Recreation Ground. Surbiton face second-placed Reading at Sugden Road while East Grinstead travel to Raynes Park to face Wimbledon.

All teams will be acutely aware that the leading side at the conclusion of Phase Two is guaranteed a place in European club competition in 2025/26, while positions in the league table also determine match ups for the Phase Three finals, which will have an impact on League Finals qualification.

Image: Jon Goodall