M1 Begin Super 6s Campaign This Weekend
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men begin their Super 6s campaign at Whitgift School in Croydon this weekend as they aim to qualify for Finals Day in Derby on 28 January.
Surbiton last won the Super 6s title in 2020 when they defeated Holcombe 3-2 in the final at the Copper Box Arena, and since the tournament was suspended in 2021 due to Covid-19, Surbiton lost out at the semi-final stage in both 2022 and 2023, losing in a shootout to East Grinstead after a 5-5 draw in 2022 and going down 8-4 to Old Georgians in 2023, both winners going on to lose the final against eventual champions, Wimbledon.
Surbiton start against new opposition facing Ashmoor at 1330 on Saturday. Ashmoor were promoted from Division One last season after four seasons in the second tier, having won promotion from Division Two in 2018. Ashmoor nearly won a second successive promotion in 2019, but had to settle for third place.
Ashmoor were pipped to the Division One title by Team Bath Buccaneers, who coincidentally are Surbiton's second opponents at 1830 on Saturday. Surbiton haven't taken on Team Bath Buccaneers since 2019, when Team Bath were relegated from the Premier Division, having finished as runners-up in 2018, East Grinstead winning 4-3 in the first final played at the Copper Box Arena following the transfer from Wembley Arena.
In recent meetings, Surbiton have generally had the better of battles with Team Bath, although Surbiton lost 4-2 in Division One in 2015-16, their only defeat on their way to promotion with Team Bath, who won six and drew two games to stay unbeaten. Surbiton won 13-5 in 2019, 6-2 in 2018 and the teams drew 5-5 in 2017.
On Sunday, Surbiton meet up with Elmbridge rivals, Old Georgians at 12 noon in a rematch of last season's semi-final. Old Georgians were hoping to win the title at their first attempt after winning promotion from Division One in 2022, but missed out on a shootout after a thrilling 6-6 draw against Wimbledon. Old Georgians and Surbiton drew 4-4 in the Premier Division qualifier.
Hampstead & Westminster are Surbiton's final opponents of the weekend on Sunday evening at 1700. Hampstead had a disappointing 2023 season, only avoiding relegation on goal difference from eighth placed Repton after finishing the 2022 Premier Division qualifiers in second place behind Surbiton. Surbiton have won the last three meetings, 8-4 in 2023, 7-6 in 2022 and 5-4 in 2020 after Hampstead won 6-2 in 2019.
The matches can be followed via the England Hockey Altius website here