Men’s Hockey League Premier Division Review – 20/21 November 2021
Old Georgians will host Surbiton next Sunday with the winners poised to finish top of the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division
After the first half of the season, Surbiton’s hopes of finishing top were hanging by a thread on Saturday night when Wimbledon led 2-0 at Sugden Road with four minutes remaining, Sam Hooper having opened the scoring from a third minute penalty corner with Ronan Harvey-Kelly doubling their advantage from open play two minutes before half time.
Up stepped the Premier Division’s leading goalscorer, Luke Taylor, to pull back a goal from the penalty spot in the 60th minute and then snatch a point with virtually the last play of the match, a 70th minute penalty corner which earned a 2-2 draw. Taylor is now on 15 goals for the season.
Old Georgians hit double figures Vs Brooklands
Old Georgians will go into the local derby in superb scoring form, coming back from Brooklands Manchester University on Sunday with all three points after a 10-0 away win, all ten goals coming from open play. Old Georgians led 6-0 at half time, Tom Carson scoring in the fifth minute, Ed Carson adding a second three minutes later, and Elliott Messem scoring the third in the 13th minute. Nick Page added a quickfire brace with strikes in the 25th and 26th minutes, James Carson with the sixth on the stroke of half time.
In the second half, Ed Carson scored his second goal of the game in the 39th minute, Messem completed is brace in the 45th minute, Tom Carson struck again in the 58th minute and Lee Carson got on the scoresheet in the 60th minute as Brooklands suffered their worst home league defeat since they lost 12-0 at home to Surbiton in September 2019.
Fourth placed Hampstead & Westminster had been scheduled to have a bye week, but they also visited Brooklands on Saturday to fulfil a rearranged fixture originally postponed due to Hampstead’s travel problems. Hampstead won 3-0, Matt Ramshaw giving them a 2-0 lead with a 12th minute penalty corner and a 51st minute penalty stroke, Teague Marcano also converting a penalty corner with nine minutes remaining.
Bandurak shoots Holcombe to fifth at the winter break
Holcombe secured fifth spot with a 4-0 home win over Oxted. Nick Bandurak scored twice with Harry Trusler and Barry Middleton also on target to leave Oxted looking over their shoulders at Beeston and East Grinstead while trying to defend the all-important sixth place in the final week.
Oxted, Beeston and East Grinstead figh for the all important 6th place
Beeston closed the gap to two points with a 3-1 home win over the University of Exeter. Robbie Gleeson gave Beeston a ninth minute lead from open play, only for Max Lowrey to equalise from a 24th minute penalty corner. Sam Apoola restored Beeston’s lead three minutes before the interval with Gareth Griffiths converting from the penalty spot in the 47th minute to seal the win.
East Grinstead, who were looking like relegation candidates two weeks ago, moved to within three points of Oxted with a 4-1 win at the University of Durham. Louis Gittens’ 10th minute open play goal; Finlay Boothroyd’s 18th minute penalty corner conversion and Jamie Wallace’s 26th minute open play effort put East Grinstead firmly in control with a 3-0 lead. Luke Holland extended the West Sussex club’s advantage in the 52nd minute from open play before Jack Stubbings scored a consolation goal for Durham in the 56th minute.
With Wimbledon now having completed their fixtures, Hampstead & Westminster could move up to third if they win at Oxted and Surbiton lose at Old Georgians. Beeston visit East Grinstead, where a win for either team would see them steal the final top six place at Oxted’s expense if Oxted lose.
Brooklands Manchester University stage yet another home game as Holcombe are the visitors. Brooklands, like the University of Durham, now can’t reach the top six but Brooklands have slipped to tenth following East Grinstead’s renaissance. Durham make the long trip to the University of Exeter, who will want to take the opportunity to end their long losing streak.
Full weekend Media Guide available here
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Wimbledon | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 38 | 11 | 27 | 25 |
| 2 | Old Georgians | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 5 | 39 | 24 |
| 3 | Surbiton | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 13 | 31 | 22 |
| 4 | Hampstead & Westminster | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 17 | 7 | 20 |
| 5 | Holcombe | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 29 | 17 | 12 | 16 |
| 6 | Oxted | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 31 | -16 | 10 |
| 7 | Beeston | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 27 | -9 | 8 |
| 8 | East Grinstead | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 31 | -14 | 7 |
| 9 | University of Durham | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 34 | -26 | 6 |
| 10 | Brooklands MU | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 42 | -28 | 6 |
| 11 | University of Exeter | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 12 | 35 | -23 | 0 |