Report: Colin Pike
12 October 2019
Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division
Surbiton 2 Bowdon Hightown 0
Surbiton opened up a two point lead over Hampstead & Westminster at the top of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division after a 2-0 home win over Bowdon Hightown and Hampstead battled to a 4-4 draw at home to East Grinstead after being 3-0 down.
On a miserable wet day in Elmbridge, Surbiton took the lead in the seventh minute, Erica Sanders’ deflection beating Bowdon goalkeeper Kirsty Mackay. Surbiton’s second goal came in the 20th minute from the penalty spot, Giselle Ansley slotting the ball past Mackay and against the backboard after Hannah Martin, returning from injury after missing the match at Clifton Robinsons, was fouled.
Mackay and Bowdon’s defence then proceeded to frustrate Surbiton’s forwards in what proved to be a scrappy game with Surbiton also lacking cohesion on occasion, failing to break down the Bowdon defence although the weather conditions didn’t help matters.
Surbiton also failed to convert from seven penalty corner awards, with Bowdon almost taking advantage from one after a non-trapped injection sped out of the circle and into perfect position for Bowdon to mount a counter attack although the ball ended up harmlessly over Surbiton’s backline.
Lucy McNaught, Jane Donnelly and Charlene Mason all worked hard in defence for the visitors before Surbiton claimed the three points.
Buckingham stayed third after their 3-1 home win over Loughborough Students and the University of Birmingham beat Holcombe 3-1 to move up to fourth in the table.
Beeston moved off the bottom of the table after a 2-1 win at Clifton Robinsons, East Grinstead dropping to the basement in spite of earning a point at previous leaders, Hampstead.
Surbiton:
Scorers: Erica Sanders 7-F, Giselle Ansley 20-PS
Squad: Sabbie Heesh (GK); Giselle Ansley, Sarah Evans (Capt.), Georgie Twigg, Hannah Martin, Emily Atkinson, Emily Defroand, Erica Sanders, Susie Catlin, Holly Munro, Robyn Collins.
Subs: Darcy Bourne, Holly Payne, Ella Burnley, Jenna Woolven, Eloise Stenner.
Card: Green: Georgie Twigg (70 mins).
Bowdon Hightown:
Squad: Kirsty Mackay (GK); Jane Donnelly, Lucy McNaught, Alex Lukin, Aine Curran, Hannah Macdonald, Sian French (Capt.), Charlene Mason, Julie Whiting, Xenna Hughes, Holly Nixon.
Subs: Emma Rainey, Cath Thompson, Beth Alexander, Ericka Morris-Adams, Maddie Goodman.
Card: Green: Beth Alexander (34 mins).
Match Official: Ray Strudwick
Umpires: Rebecca Woodcock and Cathy Wright
