Penultimate EHL weekend round-up

So this weekend was the penultimate round of matches for the national league men's season. And it looks like some of the table titles will be run down to the wire. Especially in the East with Holcombe and Wimbledon going neck and neck and the West being an interesting battle. Demotion from the premier league also looks a close battle, as only a single point separates Brooklands and Southgate. So it's all to play for next weekend!

Prem
In the battle of the young goalkeepers Harry Gibson and James Bailey (separated by 2 years, Gibson 19 and Bailey 21), things were incredibly tied, with a 6 all result to match! Interestingly, I think Gibson has been the youngest starter and first choice at Loughborough since McGregor's retirement; Potton, Millington and Carr  happened to split all starts as far as I know with the scotsman! That was the only draw for the division, with Canterbury coming out on top against Southgate by a goal (not sure who was in goal but would be interested to know whether it was Cowling getting another consecutive start), EG came from behind against Cannock to secure the points and HWHC went down by two against Kettle's Surbiton. And Beeston got another win, at home to Brooklands, ahead by two goals.
 
East
There were two draws, with Oxted interestingly going 2 apiece away at Cambridge, whilst Indian Gym drew at home to Old Louts by 3. Teddington managed to beat Peterborough by a goal in a close game away to the other Cambridgeshire side, dropping Peterborough to the bottom of the pack. Wimbledon put 7 past Brom & Beck to lower the side that had been further up the table for a while around third place. And Holcombe did one better, putting 8 past Richmond, leaving the Surrey side battling it out against Cambridge for a chance to get out of the playoffs to stay in the league. 
 
West

Whilst there were clean sheets in only two of the other leagues, there were a surprising four in the West conference! Cardiff shut out Guildford for 2, putting them at the top as other teams slipped. Birmingham got the same result as Havant did against Firebrands last weekend, shutting them out for 8. Not sure if Miller started again for Exeter in their win. Cheltenham got an important result against Fareham, shutting them out for 2. Bath got the final clean sheet, shutting out Whitchurch for 5, leaving the Welsh side in a battle against Cheltenham, just like the close battle in the East.

North
In an important top of the table clash for points and promotion chances, Sheffield managed to turn Bowdon over by a goal. Doncaster shut out Leek for 5 which is a good win for them after their struggles. Olton shut out Wakefield for the same result of 4 to nothing. Durham beat Belper by 2 and Khalsa beat Preston by three.


Very hard to predict who will go up and who will be consigned to relegation (Beeston obviously won the league last weekend! And Firebrands were officially relegated a few weeks back) because things are so close points wise. Sheffield are closing the gap on Bowdon. And the West league has Exter off Cardiff by a point. So again, hard to tell!