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 Preview, Part 1.

Posted on September 14, 2012 by thetopofthed

The Top of the D has previewed the Men’s Premier League in part one and part two. Now it’s the turn of the women:

Team: Bowdon Hightown.

Final Position Last Season: 5^th in the league, 3^rd after losing to Reading in the Championship Play Offs.

Key Players: Seasons come, and seasons go, but one thing you can guarantee is that Tina Cullen will always score goals. 17 in the league last season for the evergreen striker and she shows no signs of letting up. Expect her to show people that age is just a number as she tears defences apart again.

Continue reading →

England Hockey League, Men’s Premier Division Preview: Part 1.

Posted on September 14, 2012 by thetopofthed

With the new England Hockey League season almost upon us, The Top of the D looks at the teams in the Premier League and assesses their chances. Here is part one.

Team: Beeston.

Final Position Last Season: 2^nd (League.) Lost to Reading in the Championship play-offs.

Key Men: Harry Martin will be on a high coming off the back of a successful tournament at London 2012. Expect him to shine in the league this time out. Continue reading →

London 2012: Video Nasty?

Posted on September 7, 2012 by thetopofthed

The dust has settled on a hugely entertaining and keenly contested Olympic Hockey Tournament. There were some wonderful technical skills on display and some exciting, close-fought matches. This bodes well for the game and its global image. Everything seems to be rosy in the garden. Everything, that is, except the video referral system. Apart from Barry Davies and Sean Kerly’s commentary, video referrals have been the most talked about topic among the hockey-watching public this past few weeks. Continue reading →

London 2012, Women’s Competition: A Look Back Part Two.

Posted on August 30, 2012 by thetopofthed

The Top of the D has already looked at the top six ranked ladies’ teams at London 2012 here. Now comes the turn of the teams ranked 7-12.

Germany
Pre Tournament ranking: 3rd

Final Position: 7th Continue reading →

London 2012, Women’s Competition: A Look Back.

Posted on August 29, 2012 by thetopofthed

The Top of the D has already looked at the men’s competition. Now it is the turn of the women, with TTOTD’s end of tournament reports. Today, the teams ranked 1st-6th.

Netherlands.