Saxons await outcome after opposition no show

Saxons were due to host New Beccehamians in South Hockey League Kent/Sussex - Regional 2, but the opposition failed to fulfil the fixture due to a lack of players.

The Hastings club is hoping to be awarded a walkover, but is still awaiting a decision from the league.

Saxons captain Jamie Busbridge said: "I got a phone call (from Beccehamians) on Friday night saying they've had some sickness, they've only got nine players and weren't going to bring a team.

"They've got four teams, and their second, third and fourth XIs all won their games, but they folded the first team, which you just can't do."

League rules state that no team shall play a league match whilst its club for no acceptable reason the same day cancels or does not play a scheduled league match of a higher team in any league.

The rules also state that if a team conducts itself or its administration such that a match cannot be played or completed in accordance with these rules, the Rules of Hockey or of England Hockey, then that team shall suffer a mandatory deduction of three points and the match shall be played at a later date as directed by the relevant secretary. Additional financial penalties will normally be imposed.

Saxons' fourth team was awarded a 5-0 walkover win when its scheduled opponents failed to raise a team for a Sussex Open Hockey League Division Four fixture two weeks ago, but unfulfilled fixtures at first team level are unusual.

"I'm waiting for the league to confirm we will get the three points, but they've not confirmed anything so we don't know what's happening," continued Busbridge. "They said they need to speak to the opposition to find out what happened."

The league table currently has Saxons second-from-bottom, but if they were to be awarded the points, they could be as high as seventh. Beccehamians, incidentally, are bottom of the standings and the only team without a win.

Saxons will hope to return to action this coming Saturday at home to sixth-placed Crowborough. Push-back at Horntye Park is 1.30pm.

"We've got a strong home record, but Crowborough are a good side," added Busbridge. "We comfortably won 4-2 against them in a friendly at the start of the season, but they're playing some good stuff and are up the league at the moment so we expect a tough game."

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