After the Christmas break, this week marked the return of a full schedule of BUCS Hockey fixtures. As the season begins to enter the business end, teams will be hoping to end on a high. Whether that’s one last push for promotion, or picking up vital points to avoid relegation, every point scored counts. It is safe to say that BUCS Hockey did not disappoint upon its return, with high-quality games producing important results at both ends of the table. From top of the table clashes, to relegation six-pointers, Freshered has it all covered.
Men’s Premier National
Only one game in the top tier of Men’s BUCS Hockey this week. Durham made the long trip down to face relegation rivals Birmingham in a must-win. The two teams started the game on identical records. Both had picked up only one win so far, accompanying their five losses. Durham started the game just one place against their opponents, with the teams occupying seventh and eighth ahead of face-off. A result in favour of one team looked very likely, given that there had only been two draws in the league all season. However, this proved not to be the case. Neither team was able to find the decisive goal necessary, with the game ending 2-2.
Both teams now sit on four points, level on points with Oxford Brookes. Given their superior goal difference, Durham actually leapfrogged Oxford Brookes, offering some kind of consulation for the 390 mile round trip. The two sides should survive relegation at the end of the season, as Cardiff Met sit bottom, yet to pick up a point from six games. Given Durham‘s two games in hand, it is Birmingham who will be the more concerned out of the two.
ICG’s Women’s Premier National
Top of the table Birmingham had the opportunity to take lone ownership of first place, as they sat level on 15 points with Loughborough before today’s game in hand against mid-table Durham. The importance of the fixture did not get to the team from the Second City, with one moment of quality prevailing in an otherwise tight game. They ran out 1-0 victors, and continued their 100% record, putting a bit of daylight between themselves and second place.
In other fixtures, third-placed Nottingham kept up the pressure on the top two, with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Oxford. This result sees them move level on points with Loughborough, boasting an identical record of fives wins and one loss. For Oxford, they will looking over their shoulder worryingly. The team in second bottom sit just three points clear of Cardiff Met. However, a 3-1 loss for the Welsh side against Nottingham Trent sees the side remain without a point this season. It was an important win for Nottingham Trent, just their second of the season, who will feel a lot safer from relegation on seven points. Exeter‘s 1-1 draw with Edinburgh sees the former edge closer to survival, now on five points. However, it represents a missed opportunity to close the gap between mid-table and the top three for the Scottish side.
Result of the Week
The result of the week this time round goes to a fixture from the Men’s Midlands Tier 3A. Nottingham 6’s would have been in a celebratory mood travelling back from the game against Staffordshire, given they ran out 12-1 victors.