Head coach Todd Williams hailed the return of Team GB hockey star James Tindall as inspirational as Surbiton ended their pre-season preparations with a bang on Tuesday.
 

Tindall scored two to go with a brace from James Royce as the Sugden Road outfit thrashed Oxted 4-1 ahead of Saturday’s England Hockey League Premier Division opener at East Grinstead.
 

Tindall also scored the equaliser in Sunday’s 2-2 Gatorade Tournament draw with Bromley & Beckenham and Williams could not hide his delight.
 

“James is a world class player and a key part of our squad as well as being an inspiration to the many young new players from the club’s academy colts’ section,” said Williams.
 

Meanwhile, Wimbledon – who signed former Surbiton Rand Team GB star Richard Alexander this summer – are going all out for promotion to the top flight with three-time Olympian Ben Hawes in their ranks.
 

“It’s almost a necessity for us now,” said first team manager Edward Cole.
 

"There’s tough competition in our league, but we’ve been training as hard as the teams in the Premier League.
 

“There is a big sense of anticipation here.”