SURBITON CONTINUE PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES THIS WEEKEND
(Seán Cotter for “Surrey Comet” website 11 September 2009)

Surbiton’s top men’s and ladies’ sides continue the final stages of their preparations for the new season this weekend (Saturday/Sunday September 12/13).

The men’s first XI, who finished fifth in England’s elite ten-team EHL Premier Division last season, won both their pre-season friendlies last weekend and meet 2008/09 runners-up Reading in a final work out this Sunday (13 September) at Sonning Lane starting at 2pm (directions: www.readinghockeyclub.org.uk).

Last Friday evening (4 September) at Sugden Road, Surbiton beat Oxted - who won last season’s Conference East but failed to make it through the play-offs to this season’s premier division - by 2-1. Captain Tim Pinnock opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. Oxted’s Lorne Barnard nipped in to equalise from open play in the final minute of the half, only for James Ashcroft to deflect home what proved to be the winner three minutes after the interval. On Saturday afternoon (5 September), again at Sugden Road, Surbiton beat last season’s Conference West winners, University of Exeter - who did go on to win through the play-offs - by 5-2. Highlight was the unexpected appearance of Matt Daly, just six days after winning gold with England at the Euro Championships thanks to a stunning 5-3 win over Germany in Amsterdam.

Matt Daly (white) tangles with University of Exeter’s new signing from Surbiton, James Royce.

The 26-year-old, now with 85 England caps and 39 goals to his name, played in wide midfield instead of his normal attacking role and was not among the scorers, who were captain Tim Pinnock with two (one from a penalty corner), Nick Cooper, James Ashcroft from a penalty corner and newcomer Sam Middleton.

Daly and his four fellow England-contracted gold medallists – Richard Alexander, Ben Hawes, Rob Moore and James Tindall – are permitted to play in Sunday’s fixture at Reading, who themselves can also call on five players from England’s 18-strong gold medal squad now that Simon Mantell has rejoined them from HGC.

Meantime Surbiton ladies’ first XI must concentrate on winning the first of two promotions still needed to take them into the EHL Women’s Premier Division after the proposed “fast-track” merger with Slough Ladies (already in that league) to form a combined Surbiton/Slough team was turned down by an EGM of the Berkshire club on Tuesday evening. A Surbiton spokesman commented: “'We welcomed the initial approach last month to our Club by senior officials of Slough with regard to a collaborative arrangement to help ensure the maintenance of sustainable excellence at Slough. The most significant part of this arrangement was the proposed ladies' first XI merger. We fully respect the decision of Slough's members not to support this, although with regret, and we wish Slough all the best for the forthcoming season.

Tim Pinnock (17) acclaims his opening goal from a penalty corner on Saturday. (pictures by Simon Hart – more at www.simonhartphotography.com)

We now turn our exclusive attention to our own Ladies 1st XI, who won Division 2 of the South Clubs' Women's Hockey League with an unbeaten record in 2008/9 and are aiming, with Director of Hockey Brett Garrard as team coach, to replicate their success in 2009/10 and beyond to support the Club's strategic aim to boast two National League teams in the very near future”.

Last Saturday the team posted their intent to achieve this in their third pre-season friendly with a 4-1 away win against now SCWHL Division One local rivals, Epsom. Scorers were Emma Jones, Sian Craze, Hannah Oakes and Helen Grant.

This Saturday (12 September) the team visit St. Mary’s College to play Teddington at 2.45 pm (directions: www.smuc.ac.uk). On their last visit in March, Surbiton won 5-2 to clinch the SCWHL Division 2 championship and promotion to Division 1.