W1 Aim For Super 6s Finals Day Qualification This Weekend
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Women are in contention to qualify for the Super 6s Finals Day for the first time at Derby on 28 January, after finishing fourth after the first weekend at Repton.
Surbiton battled before going down to narrow defeats to East Grinstead (2-1) and Slough (3-2) on Saturday before beating reigning champions, Repton 4-3 and Leicester City 3-2 on Sunday.
This weekend, Surbiton have a testing opening match against current leaders Buckingham at 1130 on Sunday. Buckingham, who were runners-up to Repton last season will also be representing England in Europe after Repton withdrew from European competition.
Buckingham won all four matches last weekend beating Bowdon 4-2, Guildford 5-2, Harleston Magpies 3-1 and Leicester City 6-2 and will be keen to resume their form to book their place at Derby.
Surbiton should have more confidence when they face Bowdon at 1530 on Saturday as Bowdon struggled over the first weekend, only earning a single point in a 4-4 against Harleston Magpies, losing 5-1 to Guildford and 2-0 to Repton after the Buckingham defeat in their opening match.
On Sunday, Surbiton take on both of last season's promoted teams, playing sixth placed Harleston Magpies at 1000 and fifth placed Guildford at 1500.
Harleston beat Repton 5-2 in their opening match before the 4-4 draw with Bowdon and the 3-1 defeat to Buckingham. Harleston then battled against East Grinstead before going down 3-2.
Guildford beat Leicester City 5-3 before losing to Buckingham. Guildford had mixed fortunes on day 2, beating Bowdon 5-1 then losing 8-1 to Slough.
Surbiton scored ten goals on the first weekend with Maelona Rees scoring three goals with Steph Elliott, Josie Hippe and Alice Sharp all scoring twice.
All the games can be followed in real time on the England Hockey Altius website here