HockeyIPSWICH skipper Asif Rais today pledged that his side would fight all the way to avoid relegation.Their second season in Division Two of the English Hockey League has been far from a bed of roses and the Henley Road side are currently two points adrift at the bottom.

IPSWICH skipper Asif Rais today pledged that his side would fight all the way to avoid relegation.

Their second season in Division Two of the English Hockey League has been far from a bed of roses and the Henley Road side are currently two points adrift at the bottom.

Although they only have three games left, Rais said: "The attitude of the whole squad is positive and as far as we are concerned, relegation is not an option.

"We feel we can win the next two games and that would set us up well for the final game at Oxford Hawks, a side who now seem to have got out of trouble."

Defeat at home to East Grinstead on Sunday would be a massive blow, but Rais feels his side are more than good enough to beat them.

The match will be the last for Oliver Didham, who then has school commitments and a holiday which rule him out of the final two games and Nick Fry is out after injuring his groin last week.

Paul Calver will partner Rais at the centre of defence while Toby Lever is added to the squad.

Said Rais: "At the moment, it's looking likely that we might have to take part in the play-offs in a bid to retain our status, but we will fight to the last minute of the last game in order to stay up.

"If we can beat East Grinstead, we will be right back in it and putting pressure on the sides above us. We are playing some good hockey but just lack the killer touch in the final third of the field, but we have been working on that in training and hope it pay dividends."

Despite a brace from defender Russell Williams, the second team lost 4-2 to Bourne and

now look like being promoted as runners-up as they finish tomorrow at home to Old De Ferrians.

Alan Mayhew (2) and Steve Foster scored the goals which helped the thirds beat Old

Southendians seconds 3-2 , while the fourth team lost to Saffron Walden firsts.

Billericay conceded the game against Ipswich fifths who tomorrow face Saffron Walden

Seconds, while the sixth team, who lost 2-1 to Cranes seconds, play Chelmsford fifths.

Orwell, who have slipped to one from bottom of Division Two North of the Printwize East League, lost to Wisbech but hope to complete the double over St Ives.