Trojans beat the drop

TROJANS manager Lou Gittens insists her troops will mix it with the Premier Division high-fliers next season after securing survival at the weekend.

The Southampton-based side - who won promotion to the Premier Division last summer - are safe from relegation despite their 5-0 defeat to champions-elect Bowdon Hightown after bottom two Ipswich and Chelmsford slipped up.

But Gittens is adamant Trojans will learn their lessons from this season and come back fitter and stronger next campaign.

"It was always our aim just to survive after winning promotion last year," said Gittens. "But next year just surviving in the league won't be good enough.

"I think we'll be fitter, stronger and more professional about how we approach everything because we want to keep progressing.

"We've picked up some good results this season but we have been far too inconsistent. That will have to change."

League top scorer Tina Cullen bagged another hat-trick for Bowdon in the 5-0 demolition to take her tally to 22 for the season while Fay Nash and Sally Walton completed the scoring.

Bowdon wrapped up the league title two weeks ago and Gittens added: "We can learn a lot from them.

"They are a superb side but they just do all the simple things well and don't try to be too clever."

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Ipswich and Chelmsford's relegation scrap will now go right down to the wire after they lost to Canterbury (2-0) and Poynton (2-1) respectively.

Chloe Rogers netted twice as Leicester boosted their hopes of a European berth with a 3-1 victory over Clifton.

Great Britain star Rogers opened the scoring with a penalty corner in the 13^th minute before Lauren Turner ensured the hosts led 2-0 at the break.

Rogers struck again early in the second half before Carla Dunnett hit a late consolation for Clifton.

But Leicester still trail second-placed Olton & West Warwicks after they picked up another three points after an epic 5-4 victory over Slough.

NICK CLOWES