Indoor hockey: Holcombe promoted after Beeston punished

Holcombe have been promoted as champions from the Super 6s Division One to the Premier Division following a decision by the National Game Panel to punish Beeston for fielding an ineligible player in their fixtures earlier this month, writes Lucas Ball.

The matches in question have been recorded as a 5-0 loss for Beeston instead of the results on the day on Jan 6-7, and points adjusted accordingly. No additional penalty will be applied.

Richard Lane’s side lost 5-3 to Beeston on the first weekend of Super 6s action so, as a result, have gained three points and seen their goal difference improve by seven, while Sutton Coldfield and Knole Park have both gained two points and seen their own respective goal differences improve by five after drawing with James Sordillo’s team.

Holcombe sat second bottom after the first weekend of action having also lost 2-1 to Knole Park and drawn 0-0 with Reading, surging up the table to fourth with four wins out of four at Polo Farm, Canterbury, on weekend two.

Lane’s team beat Wimbledon and Sevenoaks on Jan 13, both by a score of four goals to two before wins against then table-toppers Sutton Coldfield (4-3) and hosts Canterbury (7-1) on Sunday, 14th January.

Reading initially finished in second place but have been leapfrogged by both Holcombe and Sutton Coldfield, meaning the latter two sides have been promoted to the Super 6s Premier Division while Reading are set to remain in Division One.

There has been no change at the bottom of the table, with Canterbury relegated to Division Two while Beeston drop from first to sixth.

Holcombe and Sutton Coldfield will face Buckingham, Slough, East Grinstead, Surbiton, Guildford, Harleston Magpies and Repton in the Premier Division next season, with Bowdon Highton and Leicester City both relegated to Division One.

It will also be the first time that both Holcombe’s men and women’s side have been in the Super 6s Premier Division since the same year, with Barry Middleton’s side securing a sixth-placed finish that year ahead of securing survival on the final day of the 2024 Premier Division with a win against Surbiton.

Coach Lane commented: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have ended the indoor season as champions of Division One.

“The girls thoroughly deserved it, putting an outstanding second weekend of performances in.

“They grew with each game and played exceptionally.

“It is a pleasure to be a part of the group this talented group.”