We kick things off with a bang this week, with the Ladies' 1s taking on local rivals Maidenhead 2s, still smarting, I'm sure, from the fixture earlier in the season, where the visitors pulled off a 6-0 win. Revenge is definitely on the cards, and a win will also see the Ning draw level on points, and possibly extend their gap to the danger zone.

Another local derby follows, but the visitors for this fixture have an even shorter journey, for the opponents for the Men's 4s are our next door neighbours, Reading 3s. This promises to be a real dog fight, with both teams lying adrift at the bottom of the table, but only one facing relegation. It was a tight, edgy affair last time round, with Reading emerging narrow victors by a margin of 2-1. The 4s will be hoping that history doesn't repeat itself, as they continue their hunt for that elusive first victory of the season.

Up next, the Ladies' 2s continue on their quest for promotion and the league title as they entertain Banbury 2s, having had a week off last week, whilst Banbury were playing catch up on a postponed fixture and suffered a 10-0 defeat to the 2s fiercest rivals for the title, Oxford Hawks 3s. The 2s will be hoping that they can inflict a similar fate, and improve further on their 2-0 victory from earlier in the season. The visitor's record has a very pleasant symmetry to it, reading P16 W8 D0 L8 F46 A46, whilst the 2s hold the best defensive record in the league; only shipping one goal on average every 3 games!

Hot on their heels are the Men's 2s, who are in a promotion race themselves, and with league leaders Tring having slipped up the last two week (having previously won all of their fixtures at a canter), there is still a (very) slim chance of the league title coming the way of the Ning here too. The visitors this week are West Hampstead 4s, and the 2s will be looking to replicate the performance of the 3s against the same oppo 5 weeks ago at the Doom Bar Arena when they ran out 4-1 victors.

Bringing the day to a close are the Men's 6s, who are the third team of the day to be facing an opportunity to draw level on points with their opponents - Henley 4s in this instance. It's also another fixture where a narrow defeat - 2-1 - was suffered last time round. A victory is also likely to see a bit of fresh air created to the bottom of the table, with bottom club Wycombe 6s facing a tricky trip to high flying Newbury & Thatcham 4s, so a doubly sweet prize awaits the victor.

All in all, it promises to be a fantastic day of hockey, so come on down and support our teams as you can.

#COTN