Holcombe bounced back from defeat at Bowdon to draw 2-2 at University of Birmingham in their latest Premier Division Phase Two match.

The home side took an early lead through Carter Ayers and Coco Hall in Q1 but Holcs remained in the game and were able to mount a late comeback for a share of the points.

Captain Robyn Hodges halved the deficit eight minutes from time before Mayra Lacheño scored her first Holcombe goal three minutes later, leaving Birmingham – who fielded two former Holcs in Izzy Shelley and Lottie Bingham – shellshocked.

Despite both teams searching for the winner, the game finished with honours even.

The Incredible Holcs will take the positives from this game especially in coming from behind and will look to utilise home advantage this weekend against Bristol-based Clifton Robinsons.

Bowdon continued their perfect start to Phase Two with a 4-2 win at bottom side Sutton Coldfield.

In the first quarter, Bowdon dominated the game, and the pressure eventually told after 10 minutes as Tilly Irvine scored a field goal.

With seconds remaining of the first quarter, Maddie Scullion scored a second field goal.

Susan Wood reduced the arrears from a penalty corner in Q2 but it was Bowdon who scored the next goal to restore their two-goal lead early in the second half through Annabel Mills.

Wood struck back again for the Birmingham-based side to again bring Sutton Coldfield within a goal of their opponents but Georgia Carroll scored to secure all three points for Bowdon.

In the final Lower Six match, there was a feisty affair at Clifton Collage which saw hosts Clifton Robinsons beat University of Nottingham 2-1.

The deadlock between the teams was finally broken towards the end of quarter three; University of Nottingham were awarded a penalty corner which was converted by Monica Watkins.

In the final quarter, the home side begun to exert pressure on the students’ defence and this pressure eventually told on 59 minutes as Darcy Shield added a second from another penalty corner.

Both teams searched for the winner in the final ten minutes, but it was the home team that secured the three points in the 68th minute courtesy of Livvy Lane.

These results means that there are six points between seventh-placed Bowdon (18 points) and 11th-placed Holcombe (12 points).

The two university sides are locked together on 14 points but the Birmingham team that are ahead on goal difference.

Sutton Coldfield suffered their thirteenth defeat of the season and remain on a solitary point while Clifton Robinsons complete the Lower Six on 16 points, sitting eighth overall.

In the Top Six, Hampstead & Westminster suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat away to Wimbledon at Raynes Park High School.

The home side had the ideal start with Lucy Holder scoring after only seven minutes.

The scoreline remained at 1-0 until just before the half-time break when Paige Gillott added a second for Kevin Johnson’s side from a penalty corner.

This result sets up an intriguing top of the table clash at Sugden Road next week with the home team knowing that a win over Hampstead will take them to the top of the table.

Surbiton produced a dominant display at Loughborough Students as they won 5-0.

Although no goals were scored in the first quarter, Surbiton upped the tempo, and the deadlock was broken through an Erica Saunders field goal on 24 minutes.

The lead was doubled five minutes later as Ellie Mackenzie converted a penalty corner to make the half-time score 2-0.

Surbiton were quick out of the blocks for the second half with their third goal scored by Darcy Bourne and Mackenzie added her second later in Q3 to put Surbiton four to the good.

Great Britain and England legend Giselle Ansley converted a penalty corner in the 56th minute for 5-0.

The result means Surbiton have accumulated seven points from their three Phase Two games and have set up an intriguing battle next week.

In the final Top Six match, it was third versus fourth. Reading travelled to Sussex to face East Grinstead with the points shared in a 2-2 draw.

The home side made the dream start taking the lead on six minutes with a brilliant field goal from Tess Howard.

Six minutes into the second quarter, Emma Bandurak increased the hosts’ lead with a penalty corner goal.

Lorna Mackenzie converted a penalty corner at the end of the third quarter to set up an intriguing final period.

Reading continued to apply pressure and with five minutes of the match remaining, Georgia Howe struck from another penalty corner.

This meant that honours were shared, and the Sussex-based team will be ruing conceding a two-goal lead and the potential to reduce the deficit to third, which now stands at six points.

Following Hampstead & Westminster’s defeat and Reading dropping points at East Grinstead, Surbiton move into second on 32 points.

Reading drop into third place only a point behind. East Grinstead are a further six points behind on 25 points.

Wimbledon move onto 22 points following their victory over the league leaders and the Loughborough Students complete the Top Six on 15 points. 

Image: Gaby Hull