Hove Retain The Shield

Hove Park wrapped up the 2022 Parks League Division 1 title with a 0-4 win away to Queens A on Friday night.

The key victory for Hove came back in June when they beat a strong King Alfred 4-0 at home, and their 4-0 win over challengers Queens in July meant the Charles Beckett shield was likely to remain in Hove.

Dyke finished second, and Queens third. Saltdean A are relegated.

Hove won 62 matches and lost just 10. They move up one place to second in the All-Time Parks League winners list (since 1930), behind Queens. Most wins:

Queens 23
Hove 21
Hollingbury 20
Rookery 9
Dyke 6

Key players for Hove this summer have been Alistair Alexander, Josh and Thomas Pollard, Basia Suzin, Helen Almond, Mark & Tom Manton, Jo Davis, Lauren Gunning, Amy Slonje, Yaz Coleman, Lucy Chadburn, Fariss Barakat and Patricia Pollard.

Elsewhere, Queens B look well placed to win the Division 2 race, with a handful of games still to go. Division 3 is still a race between Dyke D and Saltdean B, who have three games in hand. In Division 4, St Ann’s and St Ann’s A have secured the top two promotion places.