Win seals title triumph

Feb 26 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

DURHAM University wrapped up the Men’s Northern Hockey League Premier Division title at the place where their promotion ambitions were shattered 12 months earlier, writes STUART RAYNER.

Almost a year to the day since they were beaten 3-1 at Bowdon seconds, the students got revenge, winning by the same margin. But Durham’s National League place is still far from assured, as they need to finish in the top two of April’s drawn-out play-off tournament to win promotion.

The hosts started the better on a bobbly surface but Durham held firm and took the lead through Joe Francis after 15 minutes. Undeterred, Bowdon hit back through a short-corner drag flick which went in under the arm of goalkeeper Jamie Cachia.

Durham slowly began to take control through Joffy Wilkes-Green and were rewarded late in the first half when Francis controlled a bobbling ball and converted again from a yard. Bowdon were denied an equaliser by the crossbar and Rich Jenkins compounded their misfortune by scrambling a third.

Newcastle University look increasingly safe from relegation after their 3-0 win at home to Ben Rhydding. Mike Shkurka scored twice and Oli Fraser once to open up a three-point gap over 11th-placed Leeds, who have played two games more and whose goal difference is inferior by 20.

Whitley Bay and Tynemouth eased their relegation fears in Division One with a 2-1 win over third-placed Stockton.

Oli Stoddart, the division’s top scorer, put the Teessiders ahead with his 24th goal of the campaign. But Tyne responded with their best hockey of the season, goals from Ben Bardsley and Russell Bowen taking both into double figures for the season. An Andrew Baggs hat-trick brought Durham University seconds a 4-2 win over Rotherham, but Wakefield’s 8-0 success at Doncaster saw the students lose top spot on goal difference.

Liz Perry scored twice as Whitley Bay and Tynemouth women beat Rover Oxford in the National League North Division. Perry’s first-half brace was scant reward for Bay’s first-half dominance and, although Jess Rickman pulled one back in the 40th minute, the hosts ended up winning 4-1.

Captain Bev Finlay scored the fourth and, although the third was awarded to Cath Pendlebury, there was some debate over whether Kath Smith was the scorer.

RESULTS

MEN – Northern League Premier Division: Newcastle University 3, Ben Rhydding 0; Bowdon II 1, Durham University 3. Division One: Durham University II 4, Rotherham 2; Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 2, Stockton 1. Division Two East: Leeds University II 5, Durham City 0; Richmond 2, Gateshead 3; City of York II 4, Northumbria St Georges 0.

WOMEN – National League North Division: Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 4, Rover Oxford 1; Division 1: Lockwood Park 6, Berwick 2; Driffield 2, Broom 3.