When the Women's National Premier Hockey League fixtures were drawn up for next season, newly promoted Chelmsford Highway were given a difficult start in what is anticipated to be a gruelling campaign.

With preparations for the Olympics starting early, the English Hockey Association, in their wisdom, have decided that 15 of the 18 League fixtures should be played before Christmas.

There will be no easy re-introduction to the top flight for Chelmsford who have just enjoyed their most successful season for years, in which they won promotion and reached the semi-finals of the H.A Cup.

They start off the 1999/2000 campaign with four matches in two weekends.

Three of their four opponents battled it out for the top honours last season and Chelmsford's opening match is at home to arch-rivals Ipswich on Saturday, September 18, followed by Hightown the following day.

Both Ipswich and Hightown sides boast a number of internationals and finished in the top five last season with Ipswich filling the runners-up spot.

The following weekend sees Chelmsford take to the road for the first time when they travel to Doncaster who just maintained their Premier Division status via a play-off to avoid dropping into Division One.

The next day Chelmsford are back at Chelmer Park for the hardest test of all, when reigning champions Slough are the visitors.

After these opening series of games, matches revert to Saturday's only up to the Christmas break.

Other opponents in the League will be Clifton, Canterbury, Leicester, Sutton Coldfield and Olton.

Chelmsford's main priority in their first season back in the top division after a break of four years is to stay there and consolidate their position.

A full fixture list with times and venues will be published nearer to the start of the 1999/2000 season.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.