OLD Loughtonians ladies had double trouble at Luxborough Lane at the weekend with defeats against Bowdon Hightown and Leicester.

On Saturday the Chigwell-based club faced fifth-placed Bowdon needing a win to see them pull out of the relegation play-off zone.

The visitors went ahead early through Tina Cullen but Claire Appleton quickly levelled the scores.

Bowdon retook the lead through H Cathcart on 14 minutes, although the hosts levelled before the break through Miranda Weeks.

The second half belonged to Hightown, who ran out 4-2 winners with further goals from N Merabi and C Hartley.

On Sunday Leicester ladies travelled to Luxborough Lane knowing that a win would see them crowned Premiership Champions.

And while Loughts were initially able to contain their opposition, goals from R Herbert, H Macleod and V Hawkins coupled with a brace from C Cullen saw the visitors win 5-0.

Meanwhile the mens relegation worries also continued after they were able to take only one point from their games with East Grinstead and Cannock despite finding the back of the net eight times in both games.

And after a roller coaster weekend, Loughts now need to win their final league game of the season at home to Canterbury this weekend in order to avoid the relegation play-off.

Against East Grinstead Loughts put in their best performance, although the hosts took the lead through Ashley Jackson.

A speedy counter-attack saw James Stedman convert Stuart Pilgrim's cross to draw level.

Loughts captain Oli Didham put his side in the lead before missing a penalty stroke.

Jackson's second short corner goal made it 2-2.

Pilgrim scored the goal his performance deserved to put the hosts back in front, but with minutes remaining the visitors snatched an equaliser through Dwan Quan Chan. Loughts stunned the best side in England, league winners Cannock, by storming into a 3-0 lead on Sunday. Stedman, with two close in finishes, added to Stuart Hardy's early goal to put the visitors in control.

A two-minute lapse in concentration was all it took for England international Barry Middleton to pull a couple of goals back before half time.

A tired Old Loughts battled valiantly in the second half despite injuries and the dismissals of Terrett and Bray for innocuous tackles. Cannock took advantage to secure a 4-3 lead following goals from Moddie and Simon Ramsden.

Pilgrim levelled the scores, before Ramsden put the hosts into a 5-4 lead.

But on 56 minutes Pilgrim looked to have earned the visitors a much-deserved point.

Once again though a late goal broke Loughts' stubborn resistance as Harry Jawanda fired past Stuart Hendy with just two minutes of normal time remaining.