By Lucas Ball
Holcombe’s fixtures for Phase Three of their Premier Division campaign have been confirmed following the conclusion of Phase Two yesterday.
The Top Six are now joined by the top-two from the Bottom Six and split into two pools of four, with points reset for these sides ahead of three more fixtures.
The top-two from each pool qualify for League Finals weekend at Sugden Road, Surbiton HC on the 13th and 14th April.
Meanwhile, the bottom-four keep their points from the first two phases and play three more matches, with the bottom-two then relegated to Division One.
In Pool A, Holcombe are joined by Old Georgians, who have already secured a Euro Hockey League spot for 2024/25, Hampstead & Westminster and Beeston, with the pool exactly the same as last season where Old Georgians and Holcs secured a spot at League Finals.
Pool B contains Surbiton, Wimbledon, Southgate and Oxted, who secured their top-eight spot with a victory over rivals East Grinstead yesterday.
Holcs will kick off their Phase Three campaign with a home clash against Hampstead & Westminster on Saturday, 16th March (6pm), with Barry Middleton’s side having beat the London side five times since the start of last season.
They then host Beeston on Saturday, 23rd March (6pm), who Holcs beat 10-0 at Holcombe Park in November before the Easter weekend break.
Holcs will conclude Phase Three with a trip to Old Georgians on Saturday, 6th April (6pm), with the Surrey side having beaten Holcombe by the odd goal in two fixtures so far this season, winning 2-1 at Holcombe Park and 3-2 at St. George’s College.
Full fixture details for the whole of Phase Three will be confirmed by England Hockey this week as the Premier Division nears its conclusion for the 2023/24 season.
Image: Eva Gilbert