By Neil Goulding (English Lacrosse Press Officer, 07813 859986)
HAMPSTEAD, the defending champions, and Welwyn Warriors continue to be the two teams to beat in the Men's South of England League UKLacrosse Premier Division.
Both clubs have opened their 2009-10 accounts with four successive victories and are subsequently tied on points at the top of the table, although Hampstead sit top by virtue of a slightly better goal average.
Spencer, last season's runners-up, are third in the standings and former league winners Purley are fourth, both on ten points after the first four weekends of domestic action.
Hampstead had to work hard for their victory on Saturday against struggling Bath, their opponents having lost all three of their league fixtures before their meeting at the Recreation Ground.
But Hampstead kept their winning run going with an 11-8 victory, while fellow high-fliers Welwyn also extended their impressive run with a 17-10 victory at home to Hitchin. last season's Southern Senior Flags finalists.
Spencer were comfortable 22-5 winners at home to Reading Wildcats, their third victory of the season enough to keep them in close proximity to the top two.
Purley registered their third win of the season, an 18-3 home win against Hillcroft to keep in contention as well.
Walcountian Blues are fifth in the table, their 9-5 win at home to Grinstead saw them move on to eight points.
This Saturday (7th November) Hampstead host Walcountian Blues looking to increase their lead at the top of the table.
But victory for Welwyn away to East Grinstead could also see them go top of the standings.
Hillcroft entertain Bath, their opponents still desperately searching for their first win of the season.
Reading Wildcats take on Purley, while Hithcin host Spencer.
There is also a full schedule of matches in the other four southern divisions.
Buckhurst Hill and Croydon are the early pace-setters in the East Division One with four victories each, while Spencer A and Northampton Town are one and two respectively in the East Division Town having started with four successive wins.
Southampton City and Bristol Bombers lead the way in the West Division One with ten points each, while in West Division Two Cardiff Harlequins are the early leaders with four wins in as many matches.
Saturday 31st October
Men's South of England League - UKLacrosse Premier Division: Bath 8 Hampstead 11, Purley 18 Hillcroft 3, Spencer 22 Reading Wildcats 5, Walcountian Blues 9 East Grinstead 5, Welwyn Warriors 17 Hitchin 10.
East Division 1: Buckhurst Hill 8 East Grinstead A 0, Cambridge 6 London 2, East Coast 0 Hitchin A 10, Reading Wildcats A 6 Croydon 8, Walcountian Blues 8 Brighton Panthers 5.
East Division 2: Maidstone 16 Welwyn Warriors B 1, Northampton 15 Spencer B 3, Spencer A 10 Walcountian Blues B 0, Welwyn Warriors A 20 Cantebury 1.
West Division 1: Cheltenham 2 Portsmouth 11, Penarth 7 Swansea Hawks 9, Southampton 8 Bristol Bombers 12, Warwick 3 Harlequins 17.
West Division 2: Bath A 10 Aberystwyth 0, Bristol Bombers A 3 Tridents 11, Cheltenham A 0 Cardiff Harlequins A 29.
Note to editors - for more information on English Lacrosse visit www.englishlacrosse.co.uk
Also why not visit the official Manchester 2010 World Cup site as the excitement builds ahead of next year's tournament www.2010worldlacrosse.com
And our social networking sites - www.twitter.com/2010_lacrosse, www.2010worldlacrosse.blogspot.com and http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6380164361&ref=ts
To contact English Lacrosse - The Belle Vue Centre, Pink Bank Lane, Longsight, Manchester, M12 5GL. Tel: 0161 227 3626 Fax 0161 953 2459 Email: info@englishlacrosse.co.uk
