M1 Host University of Exeter On Saturday
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men play their last Men's Hockey League Premier Division match of 2019 when they welcome the University of Exeter to Sugden Road on Saturday (push back 4.30 pm).
As last season, Exeter are battling against relegation and come to Elmbridge in ninth place, two points ahead of bottom club Reading.
Exeter were bottom after an opening day defeat, 5-1 at Old Georgians and a 2-0 home loss to Holcombe but in week three they stunned Reading with a 3-0 win at Sonning Lane, a result which could be vital in helping Exeter avoid automatic relegation.
Unfortunately the highs of victory were followed by two nightmare scorelines as they crashed 12-0 at Wimbledon before losing 8-2 at home to Surbiton.
A 3-2 home defeat to Brooklands Manchester University was followed by the first of two 2-2 draws with East Grinstead, the first in West Sussex.
A 4-1 home defeat by Hampstead; a 5-1 loss at home to Beeston and a 7-1 home defeat by Wimbledon saw Exeter stay ahead of Reading, helped by the second 2-2 draw with East Grinstead, this time in Devon last week.
When Surbiton played Exeter in Devon, youngster Josh Redstone scored twice alongside Ben Boon; Luke Taylor also scored twice with penalty corners and Zach Wallace and David Goodfield were also on target in the 8-2 victory.
Former Surbiton player Max Lowrey scored for Exeter with Tom Brooks scoring a late goal and there was nothing that another former Surbiton player, Taylor Seager-Green could do to stop his former teammates achieve a high scoring victory.
Lowrey and Brooks have both scored twice for Exeter this season and are joined as joint top scorers by Kiran Patel, Duncan Scott, James Ferguson and Sam Hooper.
George Carson and Rhys Bradshaw have scored once each.
Surbiton's game is one of three being played on Saturday: Wimbledon hosting Old Georgians and East Grinstead at home to Holcombe in the evening.
On Sunday, Brooklands Manchester University host Hampstead & Westminster and Reading are at home to Beeston.