England: University of Birmingham Finish 7th as Game Ends in Controversy

Vitality Women’s Hockey League Premier Division Bottom 5 Review – 23 April 2022

The University of Birmingham held off Buckingham to finish seventh in the Vitality Women’s Hockey League Premier Division with a 4-1 victory at Loughborough Students. Millie Attwell gave Birmingham a 1-0 half time lead with a 23^rd minute penalty corner conversion. Rebecca Condie also converted a penalty corner in the 41^st minute to strengthen Birmingham’s position before Kirby Harris threatened a Loughborough comeback thanks to her 48^th minute open play goal.

Birmingham duly responded, with Attwell converting the West Midlands students’ third penalty corner of the game in the 55^th minute. Becky Manton made sure of the victory from the penalty spot to give UOB a 4-1 lead, before controversy struck, Charlotte Watson had her, seemingly legal, effort from the penalty spot ruled out after the on-field umpire signalled a goal.

Buckingham started and ended their season with a trip to Wales and after drawing 1-1 at Swansea on the opening day of the season, they went one better on the last day, Jo Day scoring the only goal from open play in the 53^rd minute.

Buckingham finished eighth, two points behind Birmingham with Holcombe ending up ninth after completing their fixtures last week. Loughborough finished five points ahead of Swansea who will play in Division One next season.