Havant one win away from title

Havant can put the celebratory champagne on ice after a 3-0 win over second placed Isca put them to within touching distant of England Hockey’s Western Conference title – and a return to National League South next season.
With a five-point lead already under their belts, Havant will be popping the corks if they beat Clifton Robinsons at Havant College on Sunday, 2pm.  Victory will give them an unassailable lead at the top.
Teenager Ben Hegan, who played England U16 hockey last season, scored twice, either side of a reverse stick shot by Bradley Lock – all three goals coming in the final 20 minutes.
It had been nip and tuck up until then, with both sides enjoying periods of possession without breaking the deadlock.
But in the latter stages of the third quarter Owen Barnes ran through from midfield and created the opportunity for Hegan to blast Havant in front.
It was the perfect tonic for Havant, who doubled their lead early in the final quarter through Lock and then added a third late on when Hegan pounced on a rebound.
Fareham hadn’t won a single game since late November and were hovering uneasily on the lip of the relegation zone after losing four of their five West Conference games in 2023.
But all that changed with a 6-1 drubbing of Chichester, who came within an ace of beating Havant the previous week – the divisional leaders rescuing a draw with a last gasp 2-2 equaliser.
The evergreen James Seager scored twice for Fareham, who hit three goals in each half.  Chris and George Davey, Fergus Jackson and Rob Santonna were also on target.

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