HOCKEY: Saxon Men Clinch Title, Women on the Brink
The South Saxons men’s team have stormed to the Martlets league title for 2024-25 with two matches to spare. Defeating their closest challengers East Grinstead 3rds 3-1 away last Saturday, they put themselves ten points clear.
In what could be their last season at Horntye before the intended relocation to a new ground being built at Hastings Academy in Ore, the team has flourished,with many of its players promoted from the second team of the year before. Next year they’ll be back in Division 1 proper of the South East League – whether in the east or west section will depend on other promotion and relegation issues.
The second team is still fighting hard to stay in the top Martlets division with two home games left to play.
South Saxons women are also poised to win their own Martlets championship. After improving their goal difference by winning 6-0 away against bottom team Horsham 4ths last weekend, they are three points ahead of 2nd-placed East Grinstead 3rds, so a win and a draw from their last two matches would secure the title. However, neither fixture looks easy. Tomorrow (Saturday) they host third-placed Brighton & Hove 3rds; on the final day, 5 April, they have to travel to play another challenging team, Lewes 2nds.
If they do get promoted, they too will have to wait to find out whether they’ll be travelling east or west for away games in the higher league come the autumn.
South East Hockey League Div 1 Martlets (Men) – Top Three
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| South Saxons | 20 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 84 | 19 | 65 | 53 |
| Southwick | 20 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 68 | 36 | 32 | 43 |
| East Grinstead 3 | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 65 | 34 | 31 | 42 |
South East Hockey League Div1 Martlets (WOMEN) – Top Four
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| South Saxons | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 49 | 18 | 31 | 43 |
| East Grinstead 3 | 20 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 49 | 21 | 28 | 40 |
| Brighton & Hove 2 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 56 | 20 | 36 | 38 |
| Lewes 2 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 49 | 18 | 21 | 38 |
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply