Slazenger EHLPremier DivisionLeicester 4 Ipswich 0IPSWICH put up a brave fight against defending champions Leicester but could not stop the Midland's side claiming their third consecutive championship.

Slazenger EHL

Premier Division

Leicester 4 Ipswich 0

IPSWICH put up a brave fight against defending champions Leicester but could not stop the Midland's side claiming their third consecutive championship.

Hit by another bout of injuries and player unavailability Ipswich travelled to Leicester with only eleven regular fit first team players and even had to draft in the second team captain Kathryn Wrinch as a forward even though her regular position is a defensive sweeper.

Despite the setbacks Ipswich started the game brightly, playing some tidy hockey. With dynamo Jo Ellis driving Ipswich on the visitors initially looked the most likely side to open the scoring.

However, Ipswich once more suffered from a lack of clinical finishing and the home side opened their account after being awarded a controversial penalty corner.

Ipswich then should have drawn level when Sarah Tallent read a cross field pass that gave her a one-on-one with the keeper, but she rushed her shot and it flew wide.

Another Leicester goal just before half time saw Ipswich enter the break 2-0 down.

The second half did not start well as the home side extended their lead to 3-0 and, despite some hard work by the whole team, Ipswich never really looked like breaking through the Leicester defence.

As Ipswich's small squad tired the home side rotated their squad well and had several opportunities to extend their lead, but they did not take them. The 62nd minute saw the fourth and final goal find the back of the net and as the whistle blew Leicester celebrated their third national title and a place in the 2008 European Championships.

Ipswich now have to regroup for their final league game away against second placed Slough, who also claimed a European Cup spot with a 2-1 win over Bowdon. Always a tough game the Suffolk side will at least be hoping to field a full squad and continue their preparations for their cup semi-final on March 31.