Holcombe opened up a three point gap at the top of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division with a 4-1 win over Slough as title rivals Surbiton lost at the University of Birmingham.

Dirkie Chamberlain gave the home side the lead in the second minute when she slotted home from open play before Sofia Viarengo Cervino doubled their advantage four minutes later.

Joanne Westwood scored in the 17th minute from free play to leave the game 3-0 at half time.

Philipa Newton hit back for the away side from a penalty corner in the 44th minute, but Viarengo Cervino scored her second of the day seven minutes from the end of the match to secure the win.

The University of Birmingham performed well at home, defeating second-placed Surbiton 1-0.

The only goal of the game came in the 41st minute when Jo Turnbull finished from a penalty corner to secure only Birmingham’s second victory of the season.

Third-placed East Grinstead closed the gap on second place as they won 5-0 at Beeston.

The score was 3-0 at half time after goals from Chloe Brown, Lucy Holder and Natasha Brennan.

The second half saw the away side extended their lead after Chloe Palmer and Sophie Bray both found the net to secure three points.

Elsewhere, Buckingham secured a 6-2 victory against Canterbury.

Natasha James (2), Madeleine Newlyn, Liz George, Eloise Laity and Phoebe Richards were all on the scoresheet for the home team.

Tilly Tillings and Agustina Alvarez scored the goals for Canterbury as they remain bottom of the table.

A brace from Claire Thomas ensured that Clifton Robinsons were victorious at Bowdon.

The home side took the lead in the 34th minute when Aine Curran score from a penalty corner.

Thomas scored her first of the day in 56th minute before finding the winner in the 60th minute and taking her goal tally for the season to 14, as she tops the goal scoring charts.

Investec Women’s Conference East

Hampstead & Westminster remain top of the Investec Women’s Conference East after winning 6-0 at Horsham.

Goals from Louise Radford, Lauren Turner (2), Melanie Wilkinson, Jasmine Clark and Emily Maguire were enough for the away side to seal all three points and remain two points clear at the top of the table.

Wimbledon kept pace with the leaders after winning 3-0 at third place Sevenoaks.

A quickfire brace from Crista Cullen and a goal from Eliza Brett ensured that they didn’t lose ground on the leaders and left it all to play for at the top of the table.

Elsewhere, St Albans won 4-2 at home to Bedford, Harleston Magpies won 2-0 at bottom of the table Ipswich and Southgate versus Cambridge City ended 2-2 at full time.

 

Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, March 2 2019)

Investec Women’s Premier Division: Beeston 0, East Grinstead 5; Bowdon Hightown 1, Clifton Robinsons 2; Buckingham 6, Canterbury 2; Holcombe 4, Slough 1, University of Birmingham 1, Slough 0.

 

Investec Women’s Conference East: Horsham 0, Hampstead & Westminster 6; Ipswich 0, Harleston Magpies 2; Sevenoaks 0, Wimbledon 3; Southgate 2, Cambridge City 2; St Albans 4, Bedford 2.