East Grinstead at the double
by Patrick Rowley

East Grinstead, needing to win to be sure of the English League title, defeated Surbiton 5-3 in an enthralling final league match of the season at Thames Ditton.

Not only did the Sussex club become premier champions for the first time but they also became the first men’s club to complete an indoor and outdoor double.

Surbiton did come close to denying them. They led 3-2 and, with James Tindall in lethal shooting form, came very close to going further ahead.

But Grinstead picked out the weaknesses in Surbiton’s play and found the openings to confirm themselves as the league’s highest scorers.
The excellent German Martin Haner set them on their way with an early roofed corner flick. Matt Daly levelled for Surbiton but Danny Hall regained the lead for Grinstead early in the second half. Tindall made it 2-2, snatching a goal out of nothing.

Two minutes later George Harris fouled Daly outside the circle to receive a temporary suspension and concede a stroke. Ben Hawes converted against Richard Potton but the deputy goalkeeper then proceeded to keep Grinstead in the game until Harris could return.

Dominick Male scored the decisive two goals for Grinstead with Haner later adding his second.

As it transpired, Grinstead would still have been champions if they had lost. Beeston were beaten 3-1 at Hampstead and conceded second place to Reading who thrashed Cannock 5-0. Reading’s win ensured they join Grinstead and Beeston in Europe next winter.

Bowdon Ladies, already indoor and outdoor champions, failed at the last hurdle to collect maximum points in the women’s premier. Playing nervously, they lost 3-1 at Canterbury after Tina Cullen had given them the lead.

Olton denied Canterbury a place in the European Cup Winners Cup, by finishing second, a point above the Kent club, with a 3-2 win at Poynton.