Men’s National Division One South
After a routine victory over lowly Brighton and Hove in their first game after the mid-season break last weekend, promotion–chasing league leaders READING were unable to overcome the disruption caused by a long list of missing first team regulars.With Connor Beauchamp and Scott Kozlett away on international duty, Olly Deasy, Harry Skinner, and Harrison Smith all injured, and Andy Oxburgh unavailable, eventually going down to only their second defeat of the season but still six points clear of second-placed Canterbury.
The game started in driving rain with Teddington firmly on the front foot as the Reading players struggled to keep possession for any sustained period of time, with chance after chance going begging.
On a rare foray upfield, however, Reading were awarded their first penalty corner of the game, from which Charlie Ellison scored with a high and mighty drag flick.
This was undeniably against the run of play, and Teddington were not fazed by this early setback.
Reading then suffered a further depletion of their resources when defender Eddy Evans took a ferocious shot full on his knee and could play no further part in the game, and the game swung decisively in Teddington’s favour from then on, despite the final scoreline which flattered Reading somewhat.
Two quickfire attacks caught out the Reading defence still trying to adjust to the loss of Evans, both of which resulted in goals to leave Reading behind.
When Teddington were awarded a controversial penalty stroke at the end of the first half, duly scored, Reading were two goals adrift and struggling to compete with the well organised and energetic Teddington outfit.
Reading did mount a late rally, scoring from two late penalty corners, but it turned out to be too little, too late.
Reading retain their cushion at the top of the table as Canterbury also lost to Teddington last week, and Reading hope to have a few players back soon to shore up their bid for promotion.
South Central Men’s Division 1
SONNING picked up three points on their travels with a win at Oxford Hawks 3s.
The 2-1 victory means that Sonning stay in sixth position.
South Central Men’s Division 2
SONNING 2s stayed in touch with the top two after they beat Oxford University 3s.
They triumphed 4-2 which leaves them one point behind second-placed Phoenix & Ranelagh and two points behind league leaders Yateley.
SOUTH BERKSHIRE are in fifth after they were beaten 3-1 away at Oxford University 2s.
South Central Women’s Division 1
SOUTH BERKSHIRE lost out away at Oxford 2s after they shipped three times without reply.
The loss means that they drop down to fifth in the table on 24 points after 15 matches.
South Central Women’s Division 3
SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s are in eighth after they lost out to league leaders Windsor.
South Berks were beaten 4-2 by the table-toppers which keeps them in eighth on 14 points from 14 games.
South Central Women’s Premier 1
SONNING are one place off the bottom after they were defeated by Oxford Hawks 2s.
Sonning lost to Oxford 2-0 as their opponents went to the top of the league.
Sonning are on 13 points from 15 games in 11th in the table.
