M1 Host Hampstead & Westminster On Saturday
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men start the 2023-24 Men's Hockey League Premier Division season with a home London derby against Hampstead & Westminster at Sugden Road (push back 6 pm).
Surbiton missed out on a place in Europe last season after losing to Holcombe in the League Finals semi-finals, but will be aiming to go at least one better as local rivals, Old Georgians try for a hat-trick of national titles.
Surbiton had to settle for third place following their 4-2 victory over Wimbledon, whilst Hampstead, who failed to qualify for the League Finals, their cause not helped having to cope with Matt Guise-Brown's injury, will be hoping to to be title contenders once more.
The rivalry between the teams dates back to the end of the last century, when they met in the old Division One, Surbiton winning 8-1 at home in 1998-99. Amazingly, Hampstead have only won once away to the Elmbridge club, 2-1 in November 2021, when Matt Guise-Brown and Rupert Shipperley helped the visitors make history.
Since then, Surbiton have won 3-2 in February 2022 and 2-0 last February, Luke Taylor and James Gall earning the three points for the hosts.
The most entertaining game was probably in November 2019 when Surbiton ran out 8-4 winners at Sugden Road in a true goal-fest.
Most games are played at the weekends, but in April 2008, Surbiton won 4-3 on a Tuesday night after the original fixture was postponed due to an unseasonable snowfall two days earlier. James Mulcair's brace, combined with goals from Karl Stagno and Tim Pinnock were just enough to see off the Hampstead challenge, David Eakins also scoring twice with Josh Smith also on target.
Surbiton and Hampstead and Westminster have also met in two championships finals with each team coming out on top once. Surbiton were league champions in April 2018 when Hampstead lost out 3-2 in a shootout after a 3-3 draw in normal time, only for Hampstead to get revenge 12 months later with a 3-1 victory, Matt Guise-Brown scoring twice with Sam French also scoring, Tom Sorsby getting Surbiton's consolation goal.
The teams also met in the 2013 EHB Cup Final at Wakefield when Surbiton won 3-1, after Hampstead took the lead through David Edmonds. James Royce equalised, James Hamlyn gave Surbiton a 2-1 lead and Rob Schilling sealed the win.
Elsewhere, reigning champions Old Georgians start for the second season running at the University of Nottingham where the students suffered a tough baptism in the top flight going down 8-1.
Holcombe, who will join Old Georgians in Europe, are at home to Reading and there is another local derby as East Grinstead welcome Oxted to Saint Hill.
The two promoted teams, Cardiff & Met (Division One North champions) face Southgate (Division One South champions) in Wales as Cardiff make their Premier Division debut.
Wimbledon host Beeston in the second half of a double header.