Southern Premiersip Round Up

HAMPSTEAD remain on course for a hat-trick of Men's South of England UK Lacrosse Premier Division crowns, but the race for this year's title could easily go to the wire with both Spencer and Welwyn Warriors once again both still interested in silverware.

A 13-5 away win over Purley, the league's dominant team, sees Hampstead one point ahead of second-placed Spencer with a game in hand on their rivals. But Welwyn are just two points adrift off top spot and have two games in hand on Spencer and one on Hampstead, so there's still plenty to play for in what promises to be an intriguing final chapter to the season. Hampstead are also through to the Southern Senior Flags final for the first time since winning the title in 2008. Saturday's win over Purley counted as double with the result also counting for the Flags competition.

This year the Crowthorne Road side take on Walcountian Blues in the Saturday 17th April final - so there's every chance a title double could be on the cards. Blues beat Reading Wildcats 16-12 in this season's other Senior Flags semi-final.

Spencer kept the pressure up on Hampstead with an impressive 14-7 home win over Hillcroft, while Welwyn edged Bath 14-10 at the Recreation Ground to keep their title hopes alive. As it stands the three top teams are in exactly the same positions as they were at the end of the season. Hampstead finished just two points ahead of Spencer, while Welwyn were four points behind them in the overall standings after 18 league matches.

In the East Division One Cambridge University and Brighton Panthers are joint top, although Cambridge have a better goal difference. Spencer's second team are top of the East Division Two after ten successive victories, with Northampton Town in close second with nine back-to-back victories and a game in hand on the leaders. However, the club's hopes of a league and Flags double are over after they were beaten 6-3 by Southampton Tridents in the semi-finals of the Minor Flags.

Cardiff Harlequins head the Zenith West Division One following nine victories in a row, while second-placed Southampton are seven points behind having played the same number of games. Harlequins A are setting the pace in the Zenith West Division Two table with 25 points from nine matches, a run which has seen the Welsh team beaten just once this season. But Southampton University have the same number of points, although they have played an extra game from their fellow title-chasers.

Neil Goulding English Lacrosse Association