M1 Visit The University of Exeter On Sunday
By Colin Pike
After their heroics at the Euro Hockey League in Barcelona last weekend, Surbiton Men's attention turns back to the Men's Hockey League Premier Division when they visit the University of Exeter on Sunday (push back 12 noon).
Please note that the match starts at 12 noon due to a national league doubleheader in which the University of Exeter's second team plays Khalsa (Leamington) at 2 pm.
Also anyone planning to watch the match should be aware that there will be several road closures in the centre of Exeter due to the Great West Run and that there will be no parking at the Exeter Sports Park until the afternoon.
Last season, Exeter, on their return to the top flight, stunned Surbiton by drawing 1-1 at Sugden Road, James Thomas equalising after former Exeter player, James Royce put Surbiton ahead.
Surbiton found the going easier in the return match in Devon, running out 4-1 winners after George Carson put Exeter ahead in the fourth minute. Scott Evans, Arjan Drayton-Chana's double and a goal from Tom Sorsby completed Surbiton's comeback.
Surbiton will come up against former goalkeeper Taylor Seager-Green. With Surbiton having beaten Reading 10-1 and Brooklands Manchester University 12-0 in their last two away games, Surbiton will be heavy favourites, especially after Exeter lost 12-0 at Wimbledon last weekend.
Amazingly the heavy defeat followed a 3-0 win at Reading the week before. Exeter lost 5-1 at newly promoted Old Georgians and 2-0 at home to Holcombe in their first two games.
Tom Brooks, George Carson, James Ferguson and Sam Hooper have each scored once for the Devon club as they aim to stay in the top flight after surviving via last season's Promotion Tournament.
Surbiton will be playing catch up as Old Georgians went top by a point last week courtesy of their 5-0 win at East Grinstead although Surbiton have a game in hand.
Surbiton, having achieved their ambition of qualifying for the Euro Hockey League Final 8 after wins over Real Club De Polo and Dinamo Kazan in Barcelona can now concentrate on the league until Easter.
On Saturday night, East Grinstead beat Reading 2-1 at home.
On Sunday, Old Georgians visit Beeston; Holcombe are at home to Wimbledon and Hampstead & Westminster, narrowly beaten by Mannheimer at the KO8 stage, are at home to Brooklands Manchester University, 2-1 winners over Beeston following their home thrashing by Surbiton.