With Southampton in the driving seat and leading 1 - 0 in their match at Dulwich, the umpires decided to stop the game midway through the second half, to speak to the captains about Dulwich's constant questioning of decisions. This unfortunately worked to Dulwich's favour, as Southampton failed to regain the initiative giving Dulwich dominance for a 15 minute spell. During which a defensive clearance was intercepted and the resultant cross was converted to make the score 1 - 1. Keeper Linda Dunham kept Southampton's hopes alive with two excellent saves before Southampton produced a flurry of chances late in the game but failed to convert.
This result takes the relegation battle to the wire as the bottom five teams play the top five in next week's final fixtures. Southampton need a draw to ensure total safety, should the other results not go in their favour.
In South division two life is equally precarious for City of Portsmouth and Winchester, whose defeats means that their relegation battle goes to the end.
The seconds played a friendly with Hamble, who were reduced to ten players by late illness. Emma White took the opportunity to play in midfield and scored two and created the third for Nicky Le Bas as Southampton won 3 - 0.
In a rearranged league fixture, owing to the closure of naval establishments following the foot and mouth outbreak, the Thirds met with Gosport, who had several talented youngsters on show. However their presence was not enough to dampen Southampton's spirit following their promotion win last weekend. Louise Crocker opened the scoring for Southampton followed by Becky Mortimer before Gosport pulled one back. Suzanne Quinton added number three and Gosport collected their second shortly before the final whistle.
The Fourths also had a final league match against Alton who are the Jeckell & Hyde side of the league. Alton produced some quality hockey against a Southampton side already promoted. Had Alton been able to field this side more often, instead of conceding games, they would have been in contention themselves. Alton won 3 - 2 with Southampton's youngest (Beth Davies) and senior player (Annie Day) getting on the scoresheet.
The Fifths went down to Portsmouth and Southsea by the odd goal scored against the run of play.
First and Second no games.
With only the Veterans leagues still in action it was the Masters who produced the result of the day when they drew 2 - 2 with high-flying Reading. It was all square at 0 - 0 at half time but it was Southampton went one down before striking twice through Paul Eastwood and Ronnie Mascarenhas to lead minutes before the final whistle. A late effort from Reading saw the points shared. Next week sees the reverse fixture and should the contest be as engaging it will worth the trip to watch.
The senior Vets took the early initiative through Geoff Danby before Barnes, the visitors scored twice to take the lead at Half time. Southampton made it 2 - 2 through Ralph Turner only to fall back to 2 - 3. A busy final period saw both teams scoring one more each, Southampton coming from Keith Finch, to make a final score of 3 - 4.
With Chichester Chipmunks fielding a somewhat older side than expected, Southampton Otters were under strength as the drafted in David Stokes and Will Thomson in preparation for next season. Chichester's size and age advantage saw the Otters struggling to stay in a match and a 0 - 5 scoreline did not give value to the skill of the talented Southampton youngsters.
The Fourths were in a comfortable 1 - 0 lead over Alton at half time thanks to Mike Gillingham's goal. However Alton's half time team talk created a different game in the second half as they rushed ahead to 1 - 5 before Chris Dunn scored a late consolation goal for a final score of 2 - 5.
The Fifths lost and early goal to Basingstoke Beavers but should have been back on even terms had the visitors keeper not been on good form against Mark Cozens late efforts. Final score 0 - 1.
Hamble Old boys Third team have had an excellent season and weren't ready to let their winning ways slip against Southampton Sixth eleven, winning 2 - 6. David Jackson getting Southampton's goals.
On Sunday the under 19 girls second team clinched the Second division title when the met with New Sarum and won 1 - 4. Southampton started well building up several good attacks only to be thwarted by the Sarum defence and keeper. The first goal eventually came thanks to Hannah Pearce, forcing the ball home from close range, to make a half time score of 1 - 0. A second from Kerry Brown was added before a neatly deflected goal brought Sarum back to 1 - 2. Hannah Pearce and Amanda Royle then added Southampton's other goals to reward a good team effort.
Southampton under 12 boys played in the Hampshire Under 12s tournament at Southampton Sport Centre and overcame Havant 4 - 0, drew with Basingstoke 0 - 0 and lost 1 - 0 to Portsmouth. The tournament hosted by Fareham Hockey Club on behalf of Hampshire Schools and youth was attended by 16 boy's teams and showed the depth of talent available within Hampshire.
Hampshire under 13 boy's continued in good form as the took the initiative over other title contenders, Kent, winning 1 - 4 away from home. Southampton players were Oliver Knight, Robert O'Brien and James Please.
Hampshire under 14s, despite drawing 2 - 2 with Kent at Thornden School saw their title hopes slip away to the visitors. Five players representing Hampshire came from Southampton, they were Danny Morgan, Matthew Swzinto, Simon King, Steve Nutt and Alex Tong