Surbiton maintain lead in women’s Premier Division
Surbiton’s women maintained their five-point lead at the head of England’s Vitality Premier Division as they beat Beeston for a sixth successive victory.
After a tight first quarter and some strong defending, Beeston broke the deadlock in the 29th minute through a Paige Gillott penalty corner.
But Brett Garrard’s side turned things around in the second half with Giselle Ansley scoring straight after the restart while Izzy Petter and Amy Costello extended the lead further to make it eight wins from nine outings.
It keeps them out of range of Wimbledon who won 3-0 away to Holcombe with Megan Crowson netting two and Hollie Pearne-Webb getting the other.
East Grinstead are third thanks to a 5-1 home win against University of Nottingham with Sophie Bray getting a hat trick.
On the men’s side, Old Georgians maintained their edge in the Premier Division with a 3-0 Sunday win over Reading and two more goals from Sam Ward.
Things were much closer for Surbiton Men when they travelled to near neighbours Wimbledon. Ed Horler (33) opened the scoring just before half-time to give Wimbledon the lead going into the break.
Alex Williams struck back for Surbiton to level the scores in the 43rd before Ryhs Smith restored Wimbledon’s lead with a 52nd-minute goal. With time running out and Wimbledon looking like they were going to win for just the second time at home against Surbiton, up stepped the penalty corner specialists for the visitors.
Gareth Furlong fired home in the 62nd before Luke Taylor rescued all three points for Surbiton with two minutes remaining. Old Georgians lead the table on 25 points with Surbiton two points back on 23.
After that, there is a gap to Wimbledon on 17 with Hampstead & Westminster and Holcombe on 17 points.