Draw takes Havant step close to WC title

Teenager Ethan Hoddle scored Havant's second goal at Bristol University : Neil Marshall picture.

Havant can take an emphatic step closer towards the Western Conference title if they beat fifth-placed Birmingham University in the Midlands on Sunday.
With three matches remaining, Havant enjoy a four-point advantage over their final game opponents Olton & West Warwicks (March 31) at the top – their position having been strengthened by Cardiff & Met losing 2-1 to Team Bath and the Birmingham students crashed 5-0 at Fareham.
Havant had to be satisfied with a 2-2 at Bristol University – the visitors playing without Matthew Boote, who fractured a bone in his foot in the warm up.
The West Country side changed round at half-time 1-0 up, ironically through a  penalty corner by Havant old boy George Cairns.
Havant made a stunning start to the second period and, with Bristol down to ten men through a yellow card, struck twice inside 60 seconds.
Two minutes into the half, Miguel Rodrigues won Havant a penalty corner, and Federico Bertoni made no mistake with the equaliser.
Straight from the restart Havant took the lead, with man of the match Ethan Hoddle finishing a great move down the Havant right.
The game then settled down and neither side could trouble each other’s defence. The midfield started to open up and Havant created some further chances but could not increase their lead.
Then in the 57th minute a hopeful ball into the Havant circle, bounced kindly off a defender’s stick to Kincaid Ingram, whose rasping shot into the corner earned the students a 2-2 draw.
* Ollie Baxter scored twice for Chichester, who crashed 6-2 to Oxford Hawks.