MARLOW look to be heading straight back to Division One after a comprehensive victory over local rivals Harlow Ladies.

With three games still to go, Marlow need just one victory to gain promotion back into the Trysports Three Counties Division One after getting relegated last season.

But they did not have it all their own way on Saturday against Harlow, who took the lead after five minutes when Vicky Gray finished off an excellent passing move.

But Marlow answered immediately as Liz Clegg ran through the Harlow defence to score a spectacular solo goal.

Helen North then put Marlow ahead before Jo Rees and Margot Nichols made it 4-1 at half-time.

Second-half strikes from Nichols and Ali Wheatley with a penalty flick made the score 6-1.

Harlow Seconds had an easier time against Maidenhead, thrashing them 10-0, thanks to hat-tricks by Gaby Willis and Kathy Woodliffe and goals by Heather Scutchings, Sue Cawley and Rosie Miller.

They are away on Saturday against Scarlet Runners, while the first team play Buckingham at Cressex tomorrow.

Marlow are away to struggling Maidenhead tomorrow and should seal promotion and are then in action again on Sunday against London Edwardians in the fourth round of the EHA National Vase competition.

High Wycombe are up to sixth in the table after beating Lions in a topsy-turvy match.

After a goalless first half, Duncan Parnis opened the scoring only for Wycombe to go 2-1 down.

But Wycombe came back and Andy Burroughs equalised. Parnis then restored the lead and grabbed his hat-trick from a penalty corner.

Lions got a consolation near the end to make it 4-3 but Wycombe will be confident going into tomorrow's home game against Staines.

The second team also won with a 3-1 victory against Herne Bay and have only lost one out of the last 11.

They went one up after five minutes through Geoff Gill but went in at the break 1-1 after Herne equalised.

But Simon Grant restored the Wycombe lead before Phil Hughes finished the game off with a fine strike.

There were losses for the third and fourth team but the sixth team had a 2-2 draw.

Amersham & Chalfont Men's first team slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Bicester.

They took the lead in the first half but, despite numerous chances, failed to increase the lead and were made to suffer as Bicester struck twice to make it 2-1 at half-time.

More chances went begging in the second half despite the opposition going down to nine men when two players were sin-binned, but A& C could not get an equaliser.

A&C Ladies also lost, getting beat 7-2 by Henley.

They conceded a goal after just two minutes and after Lorna Pearce equalised, Henley scored again.

Katy Shaw made it 2-2, sweeping home a cross but then Henley went nap, scoring five without reply.

But the veteran's had a good 3-1 win against Leighton Buzzard, thanks to goals from Tony Bennett, Martin Lamborn and Steve Richman.

The men's team play Old Merchant Taylors tomorrow while the women are at home to Milton Keynes.

February 14, 2002 13:38