Open/Men’s Division One & Conferences Round-Up 

Five rounds into the Men’s Division One and Conference competitions, the early promotion picture is beginning to take shape, with several sides maintaining unbeaten starts and a number of tightly contested races developing across the country. 

In Division One South, Richmond and Teddington are level at the summit on 12 points after winning four of their opening five fixtures. Richmond currently lead the way thanks to a superior goal difference, helped by Scott Wall’s 10 goals. While Hampstead & Westminster 2s, Clifton Robinsons and Guildford remain firmly in contention on nine points. Old Loughtonians have also enjoyed a strong start and boast the division’s best defensive record, having conceded just five goals. At the foot of the table, Indian Gymkhana and Southgate are still searching for their first points of the campaign. 

Division One North is currently being led by an impressive Loughborough Students side, who are the only team in the division with a perfect record after five matches. Their five consecutive victories have opened up a two-point gap over the University of Birmingham, while Durham University occupy third place on 10 points. The battle in mid-table remains close, with just five points separating fourth and seventh. At the other end, Leeds sit bottom on one point, while Harborne and Timperley will be hoping to climb away from the lower positions in the coming weeks. 

In Conference East, London Wayfarers have made a flawless start to the season, collecting maximum points from their opening five matches. Spencer remain their closest challengers on 13 points and are also unbeaten, while Old Cranleighan and Bromley & Beckenham are both on nine points. At the bottom of the standings, Chelmsford have picked up just one point from their opening fixtures and face an uphill battle to close the gap on the teams above them. 

Conference Midlands is proving to be one of the most competitive divisions in the country. Oxford Hawks and City of Peterborough both maintain perfect records after five rounds and are level on 15 points, with Oxford Hawks sitting top courtesy of a superior goal difference, after scoring 23 goals so far. St Albans are well placed in third on 12 points and remain within touching distance of the leading duo. Meanwhile, Olton & West Warwicks are yet to record a point and currently occupy the bottom position. 

The race for promotion in Conference North is also beginning to take shape. Lindum have won all five of their matches to establish a five-point advantage at the top of the table. Neston sit second on 10 points, while Deeside Ramblers, Durham University 2s and Sheffield are all locked together on nine points. At the other end of the division, Doncaster and Brooklands Manchester University 2s currently occupy the bottom two places, with Brooklands still searching for their first points of the season. 

Meanwhile, Conference West sees Marlow leading the way with a perfect return of five wins from five. Unbeaten Havant remain in close pursuit on 13 points, while University of Exeter 2s sit third after winning four of their opening five fixtures. The division remains tightly contested behind the leading trio, with only five points separating fourth and eighth. Chichester and Cardiff & Met 2s currently occupy the bottom two places and will be looking to kickstart their campaigns as the season progresses. 

To view all of the Open/Men’s tables across the EHL, click here.

Women’s Division One & Conferences Round-Up

Five rounds into the Women’s Division One and Conference competitions, several promotion contenders are beginning to emerge, while the battle for points remains fiercely contested across all divisions. 

In Division One South, the title race could hardly be tighter, with University of Exeter, Surbiton 2s and Southgate all level on 11 points and unbeaten after five matches. Exeter currently top the standings thanks to a superior goal difference of +13. At the other end of the table, Holcombe and Old Loughtonians occupy the bottom two places above Team Bath Buccaneers, who are still searching for their first point of the season. 

There is little to separate the leading sides in Division One North either. Leeds and Clifton Robinsons share top spot on 12 points following four victories from five outings, with Gloucester City keeping pace in third. The middle of the table remains congested, with just two points separating fourth from eighth, while Ben Rhydding and Sutton Coldfield will be looking to climb clear of the lower positions in the coming weeks. 

In Conference East, Old Georgians have made an impressive start, collecting 13 points from a possible 15 and conceding just once in five matches. Hampstead & Westminster 2s sit second on 10 points, while unbeaten Guildford remain well placed in third. Canterbury are yet to register a point and face a challenging task to close the gap at the foot of the table. 

Conference Midlands is currently headed by the division’s only side with a perfect record. Cambridge University  have won all five matches to establish a three-point lead over Harleston Magpies and Cambridge City, who both sit on 12 points. The top three have already begun to create daylight between themselves and the chasing pack, while University of Nottingham 2s currently occupy the bottom position with two points. 

The race for top spot in Conference North remains wide open. Repton and Alderley Edge are level on 11 points and both remain unbeaten after five games, with Durham University 2s just one point further back. The division is particularly competitive, with only six points separating first and sixth. Kirkby Stephen and the City of York are currently in the bottom two positions on one point each. 

Meanwhile, Conference West sees Oxford University leading the way on 13 points after an unbeaten start to the campaign. Trojans remain hot on their heels on 12 points, while Exeter sit third on 10. With just seven points separating fourth and ninth, the division remains highly competitive heading into the next round of fixtures. Witney and Slough will be aiming to kickstart their campaigns after difficult openings to the season. 

To view all of the Women’s tables across the EHL, click here.