Division make up is revealed
The Verde Recreo Hockey League has announced the make-up of their divisions next season. After the campaign was curtailed with just a couple of games remaining, the leagues used a formula to finalise the tables and ensure that relegation and promotion could happen.
Next season, the league will be attempting to run a normal 2020/21 campaign, guided by the government and England Hockey. With this in mind, the league has proposed to start on October 24 and playing through until the Christmas break on December 12. Play will resume on January 16 and run until March 27 before the Easter break with players returning on April 10 and continuing until April 24.
A firm decision on taking this route or defaulting to a plan B will be taken on July 18 and no fixtures will be published until early August. The provision has also been made for potentially playing in May if necessary. Should there by any team withdrawals before July 18 the league may have to review the division placements.
All clubs are being urged to start thinking about their own back-up plans for where games could be played should landlords apply their own social distancing restrictions despite the government potentially lifting theirs. Clubs have also been asked to provide their thoughts on possibly playing fixtures in May 2021 by emailing wswhl. leaguesec@gmail.com by June 21.
Provisionally, Team Bath Buccaneers A will remain in the Premiership alongside Cardiff & Met A, Clifton Robinsons, Firebrands, Penarth, Swansea, Swindon, Taunton Vale, Truro, University of Exeter
A, Westbury & UB and Whitchurch.
The B side and City of Bath will lock horns again in Conference North with Cardiff Medics, Bristol University B, Cardiff University A, Cheltenham A, Chippenham, Cirencester, Marlborough, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swansea A and Whitchurch.
Buccs C and D will meet again in Central 1 alongside Devizes, Chippenham A, Clifton Robinsons B, Firebrands B, Mendip, Mid Somerset, Minehead, Taunton Vale B and Westbury & UB A.
City of Bath A finished bottom of Central 1 and have been relegated to Central 2 and join East Central 1 champions Corsham, runners-up Team Bath Buccs E and Keynsham whilst also facing Bridgwater A, Bristol University C, Clifton Robinsons C, North Wilts, Old Bristolians A, South Glos, West Wilts A, Weston-super-mare.
Buccs F and City of Bath B and C remain in East Central 1 and will come up against Bristol UWE, Chippenham B and C, Cirencester A and B, Devizes A, Marlborough A, Royal Wootton Bassett A and Swindon A.
Keynsham A will be playing in West Central 2 after finishing bottom of West Central 1, they will face Bridgwater B and C, Clifton Robinsons E, Firebrands E, North Somerset B, Old Bristolians C and E, Somerset Gryphons A, Westbury & UB E and F and Weston-super-mare A.
Buccs G will be in East Central 2 after finishing second bottom of East Central 1, they join Corsham A and will play against Bristol & West E, Chippenham D, Marlborough B, North Wilts A, Old Bristolians D, Royal Wootton Bassett B, Shepton Mallet B, Swindon B, West Wilts B and Yate A.