CHELMSFORD have been relegated from the Slazenger Women's EHL while Ipswich will contend an end-of-season relegation play-off following Saturday's results.

CHELMSFORD have been relegated from the Slazenger Women's England Hockey League while Ipswich will contend an end-of-season relegation play-off following Saturday's results.

Ipswich beat Poynton 2-0 at Tuddenham Road courtesy of goals from Leisa King and Lizzy Aldous to record only their second league win of what has been a poor season.

That result, combined with Chelmsford's 3-1 defeat at Clifton, means that the rock-bottom Essex side will definitely be playing Conference East hockey next season.

Ipswich will now travel to Chelmsford next Saturday to contest an inconsequential local derby before the Suffolk side contest a play-off involving the Conference West, East and North champions.

Meanwhile, the fate of both Ipswich and Chelmsford's men's sides remains in the balance following the penultimate round of league fixtures. Heavy losses for both sides means that rock-bottom Ipswich (six points), second-bottom City of Peterborough (seven points) and third-bottom Chelmsford (seven points) will fight it out on the final day to determine who goes down automatically, who finishes in the relegation play-off zone and who ensures survival.

Next Sunday, Ipswich host Chelmsford at Tuddenham Road, while Peterborough host third-placed Old Loughtonians.

For full match reports from this weekend see Wednesday's EADT.