The top four in England’s Investec women’s hockey league premier division face each other in what could prove a pivotal weekend in the make-up of the play-offs.
Leaders Canterbury travel to Surbiton, while second-placed Reading play host to Clifton. Fourth-placed Clifton are enjoying a good run of form, with four consecutive wins in the league, including victories over Leicester and Bowdon Hightown.
Meanwhile, Reading will be determined to take the win and keep the pressure on leaders Canterbury. While they are both assured of play-off spots, the final positions are still to be decided.
“We’ve won every game since the winter break, so we’re going into the game with a bit of momentum,” said Clifton manager Alistair Kilfoil. “But it’s going to be a difficult game with all their internationals playing.
“I would be happy with a draw, but we are capable of a win and that would be a bonus, and even if we lose we’ll still be fourth.”
Reading’s international ace Alex Danson will be hoping to add to the 13 goals which has made her top scorer in the premier division, and she will want to remain in line for that cash prize with Beeston’s Sophie Robinson and Canterbury’s Nikki Kidd both just one goal behind her.
Similar to Clifton, Canterbury will remain top of the table no matter what the result against Surbiton, but they will want to maintain their strong recent form which has seen them go unbeaten in nine outdoor league matches – which includes clean sheets in their last four games.
In other premier division action, Bowdon Hightown entertain Sutton Coldfield, while Leicester host Beeston and Olton and West Warwickshire take on the University of Birmingham.
Former leaders Slough face third-placed Oxford Hawks in their quest to re-take top spot in thewest. Meanwhile Buckingham – who beat Slough 1-0 last weekend – host Swansea.
North leaders Brooklands Poynton head to Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, while second-placed Wakefield head to Boots.
And in theeast, leaders Holcombe travel to second-placed East Grinstead. A win or draw for Holcombe will ensure they finish top of the table and secure their place in the promotion play-offs.
League Finals Weekend
The winners of the Investec Women’s Hockey League and the NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League will be crowned over two action-packed weekends at Reading Hockey Club in April. The top four Premier Division teams qualify for their respective finals weekends, laying off against each other to be crowned league champions.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, March 8 2014)
Investec Premier Division
Bowdon Hightown v Sutton Coldfield 13:45
Leicester v Beeston 14:00
Olton and West Warwickshire v University of Birmingham 12:00
Reading v Clifton 13:30
Surbiton v Canterbury 14:00
Investec Conference East
Chelmsford v St Albans 14:00
East Grinstead v Holcombe 13:30
Horsham v Wimbledon 13:30
Old Loughtonians v Harleston Magpies 14:30
Sevenoaks v Ipswich 12:00
Investec Conference North
Ben Rhydding v Stourport 13:30
Boots v Wakefield 12:30
Kendal v University of Durham 12:30
Loughborough Students v Doncaster 12:30
Whitley Bay and Tynemouth v Brooklands Poynton 12:30
Investec Conference West
Bristol Firebrands v Barnes 13:00
Buckingham v Swansea City 12:00
Exe v Isca 13:00
Oxford Hawks v Slough 16:00
Trojans v Gloucester City 12:00
