Surbiton hockey club ladies skipper Sarah Haycroft reckons a mixture of fun and focus is the secret behind a second successive season as unbeaten table toppers.

Last weekend’s 2-0 win over Leicester, where Haycroft was joined on the scoresheet by Robyn Collins, brought the curtain down on the first part of the WHL Premier Division season.

Surbiton were already certain of finishing top, but the win means they are now unbeaten in 40 league and play-offs games.

Now they face a month-long wait to defend their Premier Division title at finals weekend, which will pit them against Holcombe in the semi-final with either Canterbury or University of Birmingham awaiting the winners.

Haycroft said: “A few years ago, at our first trip to the play-offs, we were all very light-hearted in the warm up, chatting and giggling, and it was very different to how our opponents approached the game – but that is just how we are as a team.

“It does not mean we are not focussed – everyone knows why we are there.

“It’s a hard balance, but something that Brett Garrard [coach] gets spot on is knowing that all the girls take it so seriously and want to win the league and go to Europe, but at the same time it is a hobby that people can have fun with, it can be a relief from jobs.”

She added: “I lived with two of the girls at university, so we have been best friends for years and years.

“Even those I know through just playing at Surbiton, we all get on so well. There is a great sense of camaraderie, it is so much fun.

“There is a great spirit and vibe in the squad – everyone loves playing for Surbiton, and we want to take that into every game and when you win you want more of it.”

It is not just the relaxed atmosphere that has brought unprecedented success, and Surbiton have had to cope with international call-ups during the season just as much as their rivals.

However, unlike their rivals, the Sugden Avenue outfit have plenty in reserve.

“Throughout both of the seasons we’ve had players missing, but the girls who have stepped in show just what strength in depth we have,” she said.

“They could easily play for any other team in the division and be very successful.”

The finals weekend takes place on April 16 and 17 at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre.