Men's 1's remain top of Premier B

Havering hosted Saffron Walden at Campion looking to maintain their lead at the top of Premier B but were in no mood to underestimate their rivals who had stormed away with the Division one title the year before. The squad was unchanged from the previous week were Havering had beaten Waltham Forrest by an eight goal margin.

From the outset of the match Havering dominated possession and played deep inside the Saffron Walden half limiting them to just a few counter attacks at the Havering defence. Joe Cole was left to be a spectator in the Havering goal but despite their efforts Havering struggled to put together any real clear cut chances. However the deadlock was broken midway through the half when Gaz Ingram stepped up and flicked the ball low and hard into the middle of the goal to give Havering the lead. Continuing to push Havering started to create more clear cut chances with Alex Simpson twice firing wide with reverse stick efforts but the home side were unable to add to their tally going into the break.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first and Havering doubled their advantage early on when Alex Simpson drove into the circle only to be halted by a big foul from the last defender, however with Simpson still in control of the ball and the umpire playing a good advantage Simpson continued his run and rounded the keeper before flicking the ball into the empty net. Looking to put the match beyond doubt Havering were able to keep their momentum and won several second half Penalty Corners, Harry Andrews was unlucky not to finish of a good move at the back post firing wide of the goal but from the next corner Paul Johnson made it 3-0 deflecting in Glen Nollers pass.

As the half came to a close Josh Cipa received a yellow card for playing the ball above shoulder height giving Saffron Walden their first and only penalty corner of the match but the strike from the top of the circle went wide. Havering finished the scoring with another penalty corner of their own, a Walden defender blocked the initial effort but the ball fell back to Paul Dover who combined with Johnson and Andrews whose pass was deflected home by Simpson. A fine victory and performance for Havering who will travel to Cambridge University next weekend.

Sunday saw Havering host Tulse Hill and Dulwich in the 3rd round of the England Hockey Trophy, injuries from Saturday meant Adam Lumbers and top scorer Ollie Cipa were unavailable. In stark contrast to Saturday’s game Havering never really got going giving away cheap possession from the start and struggled to find any fluidity in their play. Tulse Hill were organised and worked hard forcing Havering into three defensive errors which were all clinically punished to give the away side a 3-0 half time lead.

Havering improved slightly in the second half but it was never going to be enough to get back into the match, several penalty corners came and went before Tulse Hill scored one of their own. In the final minute Gaz Ingram grabbed a consolation rounding the visiting keeper and flicking into the empty net. It was a disappointing end to the Trophy for Havering but a reminder that they must remain consistent if they are to finish off the season as the end draws ever closer.