About thetopofthed

Columnist for The Hockey Paper and the man behind The Top of the D. Writer, podcaster, goalkeeper and BBC Sport man. Used to work for Great Britain Hockey and have covered the sport at every major tournament.

Investec Women’s Premier League Championship Playoffs: Preview.

Posted on April 10, 2014 by thetopofthed

And then there were four. The teams who have proved themselves to be the finest in the land will come together at Reading Hockey Club this weekend to do battle to determine who will be crowned champions and also grab that all-important place in Europe for next season. Having finished top of the league, Canterbury already have a European place sewn up and will face Clifton, who finished fourth, in their semi final. The other semi-final pits defending champions Reading against Surbiton. The Top of the D gives you the low-down on the teams. Continue reading →

One game at a time: The Top of the D meets Jen Wilson.

Posted on April 9, 2014 by thetopofthed

Going into the final week of this season, Canterbury were top of the league, needing a win on the final day against Clifton to qualify for Europe. They made no mistake as goals from Nikki Lloyd and Kim Young got them over the line with a 2-0 win. Continue reading →

Score4Scan.

Posted on April 9, 2014 by thetopofthed

In anyone’s book, £9,046.57 is a tidy sum of money. It is also the amount of money raised so far by Sam Ward, the Beeston striker as part of the Score4Scan campaign. Continue reading →

Investec Women’s Premier League Team of the Season: Forwards.

Posted on April 7, 2014 by thetopofthed

In the final voting category in the series, it is time to see who you want to see in the forward line for the Investec Women’s Premier League Team of the Season. With 361 goals scored in the league this season it promises to be a hotly contested battle for those coveted three places. Don’t forget you can still vote for the goalkeeper, defenders and midfielders who you want to include in the team.

Continue reading →

NOW: Pensions Men’s Championship Playoff Final: Beeston 1-1 East Grinstead (3-1 after shootout.)

Posted on April 6, 2014 by thetopofthed

The ice cool George Pinner made himself the toast of Highfields as his heroic efforts in the shootout pushed Beeston to a dramatic win to take home the title from East Grinstead.

The two sides had been hard to separate all season, finishing on the same points in the league and so it proved to be the same story today as they played out a 1-1 draw over 70 minutes. Continue reading →