East Grinstead remain in pole position
by Patrick Rowley

East Grinstead and Beeston will be two of England’s three clubs in the EuroLeague next winter, while one of the two should be crowned champions of the Slazengers English League for the first time next Sunday.

Both won their penultimate league fixtures on Saturday so that East Grinstead maintained their point advantage over the Nottinghamshire club.

Grinstead (38pts) finish with a tough away game against Surbiton while Beeston (37) visit Hampstead.

Should both fail to get a point, that could let in third placed Reading (35). Reading host fourth placed Cannock (32) in their final match, with the third European place also at stake.

East Grinstead greatly improved their goal difference (+29) on Saturday with a 6-0 home win over Bowdon. Four of their internationals, Mark Pearn, Martin Haner, Danny Hall and Glenn Kirkham scored one apiece with Dominick Male getting their first and last goals.

Surbiton, with their six GB internationals, lost their chance to be in the title race and Europe when they were beaten 2-1 at Beeston. The turning point was a penalty (stroke) miss by British captain Ben Hawes. A minute later Wayne Rowland scored the decisive goal for Beeston.

Reading won 4-1 at Trent Park to end Southgate’s brief return to the premier division.

Women’s champions Bowdon Hightown moved to within one match of winning all 18 of their games by beating Slough, the 2008 champions, 2-1.

They also moved 18 points clear as Olton and Canterbury, the two other clubs chasing a European spot, drew 2-2. Olton need to win at Poynton next Saturday to be sure of being second and qualifying for the European Cup Winners Cup.