Surbiton’s supporters witnessed a goalfest at Sugden Road last weekend when both first teams scored six goals in their respective league matches.

Surbiton Ladies opened up a three point lead at the top of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division over both East Grinstead and Holcombe after Holcombe lost 2-1 at home to East Grinstead on Sunday. Although Surbiton won convincingly in the end, Bowdon Hightown defended staunchly for the first half hour before Jo Hunter struck twice from open play in the 30th and 32nd minutes to give Surbiton a 2-0 half time lead.

Giselle Ansley added a third goal in the 44th minute with a penalty corner conversion before the Bowdon defence was caught out twice in as many minutes midway through the second half. Phoebe Willars (penalty corner) and Erica Sanders (open play) scored their first goals in Surbiton shirts in the 51st and 52nd minutes with captain, Sarah Evans making the final score 6-0 with four minutes remaining.

Surbiton Men moved up to second in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division after leaders, Holcombe lost 1-0 at home to East Grinstead. Surbiton trail new leaders, Hampstead & Westminster by two points.

Reading were in contention until midway through the second half when Surbiton scored four goals in the last eighteen minutes. Arjan Drayton Chana opened the scoring in the eleventh minute from open play, only for Lee Morton to level in the same manner a minute later. Scott Evans restored Surbiton’s lead a minute before half time, but Charlie Ellison equalised a second time for the visitors from a penalty corner in the 44th minute.

Reading’s challenge was killed off by a quick three goal burst, Alan Forsyth scoring in the 52nd minute, James Royce clinically converting a penalty corner two minutes later and Ben Boon scoring Surbiton’s fifth goal in the 55th minute. As at Brooklands the previous weekend, Boon scored Surbiton’s last two goals in the match, his second goal coming in the penultimate minute.

Both Surbiton first teams are at Nottingham Hockey Centre tomorrow (Saturday) for a doubleheader with Beeston. Surbiton Ladies play at 4 pm with Surbiton Men following at 6 pm.