Clifton Robinsons could step up into the play-off spots if they can win this Saturday – but they face a tough test at leaders Holcombe in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division.
The Bristol side will also be hoping that the teams above them lose out too, so that they can sneak into the top four and secure post-season hockey.
“We had a hard fought win away to Bowdon Hightown but could not reinforce our position in the league losing to Slough away a week later,” said Clifton Robinsons team manager Alistair Kilfoil. “This was compounded by losing to Surbiton at home last Saturday.
“There are two games left and we will be positive and try to get two wins putting pressure on Buckingham for the fourth place position and a play-off place.
“But the injury situation has not improved and player availability is slightly worse with the younger players having to be rested due to school commitments.”
Clifton Robinsons will be hoping that Buckingham lose at home against the University of Birmingham to boost their play-off cause, while East Grinstead are currently third and face Bowdon Hightown as they look to cement their spot in the top four.
Second-placed Surbiton play host to a Slough side desperate for points in their bid to avoid a relegation fight, while bottom of the table Canterbury head to Beeston needing two wins in their last two games to try to avoid the drop.
The top two play the bottom two in the Investec Conference East, with current leaders Hampstead & Westminster on the road to Southgate, while Wimbledon could leapfrog Hampstead if they win at Ipswich and the leaders lose.
Elsewhere, Horsham go to Bedford in a battle of two teams looking for a top six place to guarantee playing in Division One following next season’s restructure.
Stourport have all but mathematically secured the Investec Conference West title with a 13-point goal difference in their favour, but they will be looking to make it theirs at Barnes on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Barnes need the points to boost their bid for a place in Division One next season, while Isca similarly want a win against Exe to lift them up the table and avoid dropping to the third tier of hockey next season.
And in the Investec Conference North Loughborough Students entertain strugglers Fylde as they bid to wrap up the title, while Leicester go to the University of Durham.
In key battles to secure a spot in Division One next season, Leeds go to Brooklands-Poynton, while Sutton Coldfield go to Ben Rhydding as they try to catch Leeds.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 23 March 2019
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Sat, March 23 2019)
Investec Premier Division
Buckingham v Univ of Birmingham 12:00
Surbiton v Slough 13:00
Beeston v Canterbury 14:00
East Grinstead v Bowdon Hightown 14:00
Holcombe v Clifton Robinsons 14:00
Investec Conference East
St Albans v Harleston Magpies 13:00
Bedford v Horsham 13:30
Ipswich v Wimbledon 14:00
Southgate v Hampstead & Westminster 14:00
Sevenoaks v Cambridge City 17:00
With Premier Division survival secured last weekend, Brooklands MU head to Holcombe on Sunday in search of points as they target a play-off spot in the final two weekends of the Men’s Hockey League season.
A change of head coach at Christmas caused Brooklands to reassess their season goals and focus on survival, but with that in the bag after last weekend’s win over Sevenoaks they aim to enjoy the final two matches.
“Holcombe has always been a tough place for us to go and I’m sure Sunday will be no different,” said Paul Gannon, who took over as head coach after Mark Bateman stepped down. “After a difficult few weeks we bounced back well last week, I’ll be hoping for the same on Sunday.
“We will enjoy the next two games, we’ve achieved what we set out to do and if we pick up anymore points that will be a bonus.”
Brooklands MU lost out 3-1 to Holcombe on the opening day of the season, but Gannon said: “We have improved since the start of the season.
“Over the past couple of weeks our defending has let us down, conceding 11 goals against Surbiton and Sevenoaks. If we stand a chance of upsetting Holcombe we will have to defend far better.”
With Brooklands MU sixth and Holcombe fifth, both will be targeting a play-off spot which would entail East Grinstead slipping up. They go to Hampstead & Westminster on Sunday.
Elsewhere leaders Surbiton could clinch a Eurohockey League spot for next season if they can take a point from their match at home against relegated Sevenoaks to guarantee top spot in the end of season table.
In other top flight action Beeston’s play-off spot is not yet guaranteed, and they host Wimbledon as they look to reach the play-offs. And the University of Exeter play host to Reading who could also scrape into the play-offs if other results go their way.
The battle for Division One hockey next season is hotting up in the Conference East, with all teams still in the mix in a close division behind champions Old Georgians.
City of Peterborough entertain Old Loughtonians with both teams targeting a place in the top six and tier two hockey next season, while Brighton and Hove go to second-placed Canterbury.
Leaders Havant entertain Chichester on Sunday in the Conference West, and could wrap up the title if they win. Meanwhile, second-placed Olton & West Warwicks go to Cardiff & Met.
Elsewhere, Oxford Hawks are hosting the University of Birmingham with both teams aiming for Division One hockey after the restructure.
And in the Conference North, it’s first versus second as Bowdon host the University of Durham who need to keep their faint hopes of catching the Cheshire side alive.
FIXTURES
Men’s Hockey League (Sunday, 24 March 2019)
Premier Division
Univ of Exeter v Reading 12:30
Hampstead & Westminster v East Grinstead 13:30
Beeston v Wimbledon 14:00
Holcombe v Brooklands MU 14:00
Surbiton v Sevenoaks 14:00
Men’s Conference East
Canterbury v Brighton & Hove 12:45
City of Peterborough v Old Loughtonians 13:00
Richmond v Oxted 13:30
Teddington v Cambridge City 13:30
Southgate v Old Georgians 14:30