[img_assist|nid=6312|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=100|height=100]WEST MIDLANDS, October 13 – Sutton Coldfield stormed to the top of the Investec women’s hockey league premier division with a ruthless 7-0 win over lowly Slough on Saturday.
Celia Butler did most of the damage with a hat-trick and Jane Sixsmith got her name on the score sheet as usual with a goal either side of the break.
But Surbiton only have themselves to blame for losing their place at the top of the table as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to champions Leicester, with Vanessa Hawkins and Jo Hunter scoring the goals for the visitors.
Clifton’s game against University of Birmingham resulted in a draw. After Ali Porter had put Clifton ahead two minutes in, Liz George kept her rich vein of form up with a leveller for the visitors.
Emily Defroand’s goal looked to have won it for Birmingham but with nine minutes left, Jo Leigh hit the equaliser for Clifton.
Bowdon Hightown beat Olton & West Warwickshire thanks to two goals from the prolific Tina Cullen.
Buckingham made it five wins from five games to keep their lead in the Investec conference west with a 2-0 win over Gloucester City.
It was a stern test for Buckingham, with Gloucester starting the day in second. But goals from Jess Bloom and Katrina Nicholson saw them take the win.
In the Investec conference north, Beeston survived a late scare to record their fourth win of the season to stay top.
Eleanor Watton and Sophie Robinson had given Beeston a two-goal lead over opponents Loughborough Students. With just three minutes left on the clock, Holly Brown pulled one back for the students but Beeston held on for victory.
Harleston Magpies lead the Investec conference east by a single point after their 4-1 demolition of St Albans. Emma Lee-Smith bagged a brace.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (October 13 2012):
Investec Premier Division: Bowdon 2, Olton & West Warwicks 1; Clifton 2, University of Birmingham 2; Surbiton 1, Leicester 2; Sutton Coldfield 7, Slough 0.
Investec Conference East: Harleston Magpies 4, St. Albans 1; Horsham 0, Sevenoaks 1; Ipswich 2, Chelmsford 1; Old Loughtonians 3, Bromley and Beckenham 1; Oxford Hawks 1, Wimbledon 2.
Investec Conference North: Doncaster 3, Cannock 1; Liverpool Sefton 0, Ben Rhydding 0; Loughborough Students LHC 1, Beeston 2; University of Durham 0, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 1; Wakefield 2, Brooklands Poynton 3.
Investec Conference West: Barnes 1, Trojans 2; Gloucester City 0, Buckingham 2; Staines 1, Swansea City 2; Stourport 0, Isca 4; Taunton Vale 0, Bristol Firebrands 4.
