Harper admits title race is over for Leicester

MIDFIELDER Abi Harper admits the title race is over but insists Leicester are looking good for European qualification after cruising past Poynton 3-0.

Goals from Lucy Brown, Katie Long and Hannah Smith lifted Leicester above Slough and Clifton, whose match was cancelled due to snow, into third place.

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With the top two sides gaining a spot in the European competitions next season the Midlands outfit are now just four points behind second place Olton and West Warwicks.

And Harper is adamant Leicester, who have won two in two since the outdoor hockey league re-started after the indoor season break, now have the ruthless streak to pip Olton.

"Saturday was great because even though we are not playing as well as we can we are still getting the wins," said the England U-21 centre-midfield Harper.

"People often say that to be one of the best teams and to be challenging you need to still be winning games when you are not putting in the best performances so to be doing that is great.

"Last Saturday was a perfect example of that because I didn't think anybody had a good game but we got the win and there is a real confidence that we can go ahead of Olton.

"We all accept that Bowdon Hightown are running away with the title and cannot be caught but we are feeling great and very confident that we can challenge for second place."

Brown's third goal of the season put Leicester on the way to victory in the 27th minute and Long's goal immediately after half-time doubled the lead.

Smith put the icing on the cake with the goal of the game in the 47th minute, undercutting the ball in to the top right corner for her second of the season.

Leicester's rivals for the second spot Olton survived an early scare to cruise to a 5-2 win over struggling Ipswich. 

Chloe Hunnable put second-bottom Ipswich ahead before Lisa Hunter, Denise Marston-Smith and Lucilla Wright made it 3-1 at half-time.

Emma Lee-Smith gave Ipswich hope at 3-2 before Marston-Smith's second, her 14th of the season, and Laura Price sealed the win from a penalty corner.