🏑 Paddington Recreation Ground is the place to be this afternoon for a Super Saturday of high stakes hockey action featuring Hampstead & Westminster against University of Nottingham and Old Georgians. Matches start at 2pm and spectating is free with donations welcome.
The Premier Division 2022/2023 hockey season has reached the final Pool stages ahead of the Premier Division Play-Off Finals (tickets on sale here) at Surbiton Hockey Club on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 April when four men’s and women’s teams will compete for the chance to become league champions and win a place in Europe.
To decide who qualifies for the play-offs the top-eight teams in the women’s and men’s divisions have each been split into two pools of four sides who play each other once in a round-robin format. The top two sides in each pool will progress.
Hampstead & Westminster women are in Pool B along with Clifton Robinsons, Wimbledon and University of Nottingham.
Hampstead & Westminster men are in Pool A along with Holcombe, Beeston and Old Georgians.
Hampstead & Westminster Hockey Club is home to some of the best players in the country and their ladies and men’s first teams (1s) are both looking to make their mark in the Premier Division this season. The ultimate prize is to win the league with a place in the top-two also guaranteeing European hockey next season.
The pool action (week two of three) continues this afternoon in Maida Vale with a double-header showdown between Hampstead & Westminster L1s and M1s against their counterparts at University of Nottingham and Old Georgians respectively.
Read on to learn more about some of Hampstead & Westminster Hockey Club’s star players – aka Hampstead Heroes – and today’s crucial matches. And feel free to head to The Carlton Tavern, the de-facto clubhouse of your Hampstead Heroes, for refreshments between and after the matches.
HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER L1 v UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM @ 2PM
This promises to be an epic game. Hampstead Heroes women suffered a surprise 2-1 loss to Clifton Robinson last weekend making this a must-win game for the hosts if they are to progress to the Play-Off Final weekend in April.
Expect University of Nottingham to be pumped up for the the game after their narrow 2-0 loss to Pool B leaders Wimbledon last time out. And the students will be extra-motivated after qualifying for the BUCS Universities final on Wednesday 22nd March.
Key players to watch re GB Olympic gold medalist Lily Owsley for Hampstead, and German goal machine Merle Knobloch for the University of Nottingham.
HAMPSTEAD & WESTMINSTER M1 v OLD GEORGIANS @ 5.45PM
After a nail-biting loss against Holcombe HC last weekend, the Hampstead Heroes men will be up for a good old-fashioned tussle with Pool A leaders Old Georgians. The visitors are unbeaten this year, however Hampstead are the only team to have taken points off them in a 2-2 draw before Christmas.
This has the makings of the game of the season with the winners in pole position to qualify for the Play-Off Final weekend at Surbiton Hockey Club.
Key players to watch are Old Georgians playmakers and goalscorers Ashley Jackson and James Albery, alongside the visitors goal scorers James Tindall and Sam Ward. Hampstead goalscorers Will Calnan and Sam French – both in great form – are a must-see double act while the hosts playmakers, Jacob Draper and Toby Vaughan, will be key to ensuring Hampstead’s forward line is firing this evening.
Stand by for elite level action featuring Olympic and Commonwealth medalists and internationals galore at the latest Hampstead & Westminster Super Saturday. All from a uniquely up close and personal touchline vantage point!
Can Hampstead & Westminster land a double-header of Super Saturday victories in their quest for the Premier Division Play-Off Finals? Or will the visiting teams spoil the party? All roads lead to Paddington Recreation Ground to find out!
🎟️ Spectating is free. Please note a donations machine/bucket will be in operation during the matches.
📘 Matchday programme will appear here shortly.
🏑 MATCH TIMINGS FOR TODAY
🕑 2pm: Hampstead & Westminster L1 v University of Nottingham
🕑 5.45pm: Hampstead & Westminster M1 v Old Georgians M1
🕑 The Carlton Tavern (located on Carlton Vale at the entrance of the park) is open to both players and spectators between and after the matches.
🗒️ Additional info for spectators: The pitch is in the centre of the park (inside the running track) and is wheelchair friendly. The park has cafe and toilet facilities available to the general public. Please note alcohol and pets are not allowed inside the running track and on the side of the pitch.
🚊🚗 Travel tips: Paddington Recreation Ground is a short walk from Maida Vale tube station on the Bakerloo Line. Maida Vale tube is a couple of stops from London Paddington which has connections to the Elizabeth Line and National Rail. Use the Transport for London website to plan your journey. If driving, free parking is available on nearby Grantully Road. The main entrance to the park is on Carlton Vale, however entry points on Randolph Avenue and Grantully Road (the latter adjacent to Biddulph Road) can also be used.
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