All the ups and downs from the Women’s Hockey Leagues 2022/23 season
Division 1 North
Bowdon secured their path back to the Women’s Premier Division as nearest challengers Stourport faltered at the last.
Bowdon did their bit by beating Leeds as Leicester held Stourport 1-1.
Leed’s defeat left them demoted alongside Brooklands-Poynton, whose 12 years in Division 1 came to an end.
Division 1 South
Isca & University of Exeter confirmed their first ever promotion to the women’s top flight before the final weekend, winning the league by eight points/
Witney and Cambridge City are relegated.
Conference East
It was a huge final day showdown with Southgate, a National League side since 2013, and Guildford going head-to-head. In the end, Southgate prevailed 3-2 to earn Division 1 hockey in a memorable season for the club’s 1s.
Chelmsford and Bishop’s Stortford are relegated.
Conference Midlands
Olton & West Warwickshire have enjoyed a stellar season, having accrued a 15-point gap over Uni of Birmingham 2s.
At the other end, Rugby & East Warwickshire dropped out of the Conference, with Loughborough Students 2 losing out in a final day four-way battle to stay up.
Conference North
Table toppers Wakefield hosted Pendle Forest in a promotion-busting clash at the weekend. Wakefield had a three-point advantage and +2 goal difference but ran out convincing winners 4-1.
Liverpool Sefton and Alderley Edge are therelegated teams.
Conference West
Goal difference was the key in the relegation battle on Saturday.
Basingstoke climbed out of the bottom two with a crunch win over Reading 2s as Isca & University of Exeter 2 and Penarth were relegated.Team Bath Buccaneers 1 are already confirmed as league champions.
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In Div 1 North I was delighted to see Sutton Coldfield finish in the top half after promotion last season. It’s not easy to cope with the step up – fellow promoters Leeds went straight back down – so well done to the Mighty Pinks. Especially with a squad packed with U18 and U16 players, the future is bright in the West Midlands
Well done men’s and ladies team a great performance