T&T exports in Premiership bid 
 |
| Americas |
April 21, 2005
Trinidad Express
> Page Views 1561
The East Grinstead and Canterbury hockey clubs, who field four Trinidad and Tobago players between them, face a close season showdown to determine whether they line up in the 2005/06 England Men's Premier 1 Hockey League.
East Grinstead, who are led by player/coach and Trinidad and Tobago captain Kwan Browne and compatriots Dillet Gilkes and Dwain Quan Chan, tackle Teddington in a two-leg Play Off on May 7 and 8 at the University of Nottingham.
Canterbury, who employ Trinidad and Tobago playmaker Brian Garcia, must overcome Bath Buccaneers in a similar two-legged fixture on the same dates and venue.
East Grinstead finished nine points clear in the Premier 2 competition but were not granted automatic promotion due to a commitment by the English Hockey Board to reduce the Premier 1 League from 12 to ten clubs.
As a result, the two bottom Premier 1 teams were automatically relegated-including Trinidad and Tobago defender Solomon Eccles' club, St Albans-while the ninth and tenth placed clubs were granted a chance to prove their place in the top flight.
Teddington, inspired by Malaysian international Chua Boon Huat, whipped fifth placed Surbiton 4-2 away on the closing game of the regular season to secure a final shot at survival against East Grinstead and simultaneously condemn Firebrands to demotion.
In contrast, Canterbury slumped to a 5-2 defeat away to Hampstead and Westminster, which forced the former leaague champions into a Play Off with Bath.
It was Canterbury's fourth consecutive defeat while they were particularly wasteful with short corners.
Canterbury have two remaining games to salvage their season, while East Grinstead would be desperate not to let their good work go to waste.
Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.
|
