Birmingham University win again to move third in league

BIRMINGHAM University captain Vicki Gill insisted her side's impressive start to the season had been a welcome surprise after they romped to their third women's Premier Division win against Clifton on Saturday.

Liz George notched a hat-trick for the Midlands outfit as they backed up wins over Brooklands Poynton and defending champions Bowdon Hightown with a 5-1 demolition of the lowly Bristol side.

Jo Turnbull and Susie Gilbert also found the net for Birmingham while Els Mansell bagged Clifton's solitary strike.

And while Gill admitted she had been hopeful of a result in Bristol, she was adamant her side's relative dominance was wholly unexpected.

"We knew it was never going to be easy but we scored early and took things on well from there," said Gill.

"We had a tough game there in the cup last year but everyone was full of confidence after last week.

"Beating Bowdon last weekend was a massive result for us and although we'd had a win against them in pre-season we weren't going there really expecting to win.

"But we're a confident side and we knew we had the ability to compete - that's an attitude that we want to take into every game this season."

The win takes the Premier Division newcomers to third as they quickly cement their reputation as this season's surprise package.

But the Midland outfit's title chances will be truly tested in their next three games against Slough, Leicester and Olton & West Warwicks.

And while the Birmingham University captain was adamant they wouldn't get ahead of themselves, she admitted it may be time to rethink this season's targets.

"It's going to be a tough few weeks for us now but we're a side full of confidence with everyone playing well," said Gill.

"And we've got girls on the edge of the squad pushing for places in the starting line-up which is always good to keep everyone on their toes.

"The target at the beginning of the season was survival but we've got nine points now and we feel like we're almost there already.

"We'll have a discussion on Monday and maybe reassess some goals for the season but generally we're going to take it as it comes."

Elsewhere Leicester maintained their 100 per cent record and heaped more misery on Bowdon Hightown with a 4-1 victory in Cheshire.

Fay Nash put the home side ahead in the ninth minute before strikes from Crista Cullen and Rebecca Herbert gave Leicester a 2-1 advantage at half-time.

Try as they might, the defending champions were unable to claw their way back into the game and second-half strikes from Emma Clark and Lucy Brown sealed the result for Leicester.

Olton & West Warwicks lost ground on leaders Leicester but remain in second after a 1-1 draw at Slough.

Lauren Penny's strike put the home side ahead just before half-time but a Rachel Walker penalty corner minutes after the restart ensured the points were shared.

Meanwhile England forward Alex Danson bagged the winner as Reading edged out Trojans 2-1 at Sonning Lane.

Tacita Haines' penalty corner restored parity after Emma Lee-Smith's penalty corner had put Reading in front but six minutes after the interval Danson struck to hand the Berkshire side their third win of the season.

In the final game of the day, Brooklands Poynton and Canterbury shared the points in Manchester after a 1-1 draw.

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