HOCKEY: Round-up (March 18)

After last week's defeat at Crawley Worthing have dropped to fourth in the league, but they may be rescued by a life line if Holcombe are found guilty of playing an ineligible player.

Captain Matt Ansell said: "Clearly we are all gutted as it has been three seasons now where the aim has been promotion and each year we have missed out.

"Last year we should have won the league but slipped up and gave Eastbourne the chance. This season at times we have looked so good going forward; but overall we have lacked mental strength and togetherness as a team.

"We may have been given a life line by Holcombe fielding an illegible player on Saturday. Stephen Waldrom scored all four goals and he then played for their first team in the National League on Sunday.

"This is a clear and blatant disregard for league rules, which are in place to stop National League teams fielding players in 2nd teams on Saturday in order to help their cause. Clearly, this player had a huge impact on the game on Saturday and, therefore, we have lodged an official complaint and will hope to have the match overturned in our favour."

After starting well, Worthing were hit by two reverse stick strikes from the Holcombe centre forward, both beating Chris Binns in the Worthing goal.

Cirdec Atkinson pulled one back before half-time, while Craig Patterson was on hand to slot home from the tight angle after the break to make it 2-2.

Worthing were then hit by a counter-attack and a excellent strike by the centre forward who grabbed his hat-trick.

With Worthing needing all three points they pushed forward leaving gaps at the back, and were beaten by a long aeial pass as Holcombe sealed the game.

Worthing Ladies lost a key match in the Sussex League title race with East Grinstead, in a match that doubled up as a Sussex League Cup match.

Worthing eventually went down 7-2, but three late goals from East Grinstead made the score line look very flattering.

The result leaves East Grinstead top of the league, with Worthing's chances of catching them very slim.

Shelley Formstone and Toni Catlow got the Worthing goals, and it could have been a different story had Worthing taken their chances when they were 4-2 in the second half.

On Sunday, the ladies made it into the semi-finals of the EHA Vase with a 6-1 win away at Cirencester Ladies.

Andrea Catlow netted a penalty flick in the first half to tie the scores at 1-1 at half-time.

But a rampant display in the second half saw goals from Andie Chambers (two), Formstone (two) and Toni Catlow to set up a semi-final match at home to Oxted on March 28.

Penguins continued their good run of form with a 6-1 win over Eastbourne in the Sussex Area League.

Tim Mallet opened the scoring with a well-placed finish, but Eastbourne responded with a penalty stroke to put the scores level.

However, Dave Matthews put Penguins back in front just before half-time with a firm strike. After the break Penguin sealed the game with an individual effort from Rupert Ireland, a wonderfully worked second from Mallet and two quick-fire goals from Matthews, which not only led to his hat-trick but a highest ever season total of 31 goals.

Worthing 2nd sank to their first league defeat in the same division, going down 6-3 to against second place and undefeated South Saxons.

Worthing raced into a 2-0 lead within the first five minutes with some excellent hockey, as Ahmed Ramiz and James Cook got the goals.

Saxons got back into the game after 10 minutes and the tide completely turned, as they went 3-2 up before half-time.

Saxons went 4-2 up after the break, but Worthing rallied and won a penalty stroke which Stuart Barter converted.

Saxons scored a fifth from a rising cross into the D, and then then scored their final goal straight from the restart.

Littlehampton secured promotion from Open League Division 1 with a 6-4 win over Horsham.

Captain Steve Jenkins put in a man-of-the match performance which was crowned by his first ever competitive hat-trick in a thrilling end to end game.

Littlehampton scored in the second minute, when Simon Judd worked hard to win a short corner and Phil Akrill finished.

Horsham were on level terms inside five minutes and took the lead soon after, before Jenkins grabbed his first five minutes before the break.

Colin Warner had seen a late first-half effort well saved but he put the home side in front soon after the interval with a neat reverse-stick finish.

Littlehampton then went 4-2 up, just three minutes into the second half when Jenkins netted his second.

Horsham pulled a goal back and were on level terms at 4-4 with 20 minutes still remaining.

Jon Miles neatly turned a ball home at the far post, before Jenkins completed his hat-trick with five minutes remaining.

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