The 10th weekend of the Vitality Women’s Premier Division will see five clubs keeping an eye on results come Saturday tea-time as they chase the final ticket on offer in the Top 6 after the winter break.
University of Nottingham, Bowdon, Wimbledon, Clifton Robinsons and University of Birmingham are still in the mix, while East Grinstead, in fifth, should be safe if they win or draw given their healthier goal difference.
With all matches pushing back at 2pm, University of Nottingham host Wimbledon for the first time. UoN have lost just once at home this season, while Wimbledon are unbeaten from their previous two home games against the in-form students.
Clifton Robinsons have it all to do when they travel to league leaders Surbiton on Saturday afternoon.
The Bristolians’ only league victory came in March 2020 against Surbiton, who are on a nine-game winning streak, have scored the most goals (36) and conceded the least (8) heading into the final game.
Hampstead & Westminster, who have won three in a row with clean sheets, host early season league leaders Bowdon.
The two sides’ only previous meetings came in the 2019/20 season, with the Londoners winning both matches.
University of Birmingham, in ninth, will need results to fall their way if they are to find a way into the Top 6.
Isca & University of Exeter are the opponents, the Devonians hoping to give their supporters a first win after six defeats in a row.
University of Birmingham have yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have drawn five games, with four ending 2-2.
Hosts Loughborough Students will be looking for a first league win in over four years against East Grinstead. The West Sussex side have also yet to concede on their travels to Loughborough.
And it’s second from top against second from bottom as Reading take on Beeston.
Beeston won 3-1 at home last October in their only meeting last season. But form points to the Berkshire side: Reading have won five of the last six games, while Beeston have lost seven of their last eight.
*Stats provided by Colin Pike
Old Georgians and Surbiton are level on points at the top of the Men’s Premier Division heading into the final round of matches.
With the Top 6 already confirmed, both league leaders – Old Georgians are top on goal difference – will aim to take bragging rights into the winter break with another victory on Saturday (all games 6pm start).
Old Georgians last faced Southgate in Conference East in 2018-19. Hosts OGs will aim for a hat-trick of victories against a side already assured of a Top 6 last weekend.
Meanwhile, Surbiton travel to East Grinstead, who last won at home against their rivals nine years ago. Surbiton will be a tough prospect given they are on a seven-game winning streak, scoring 47 goals and conceding just six.
Hosts Hampstead & Westminster will also be intent on overcoming a poor record against Holcombe.
H&W’s last win over Holcombe on the pitch came in September 2019 when they won 6-1 at Holcombe. This match will be played out against two in-form sides: Hampstead have won seven of the last nine after their opening day defeat at Surbiton, Holcombe have won six of the last seven.
Cardiff & Met will look to find the net at the fourth time of asking when they entertain Wimbledon, currently on a four-match winning streak. The sides last met as Conference winners in the promotion tournament a decade ago.
Beeston, on a barren losing run of five games, head to Reading for a first meeting in Berkshire for four years.
University of Nottingham will attempt to avoid becoming the first team to lose all 11 games when Oxted, who have lost their last two, visit on Saturday.
