M1 Drop To Third After 2-1 Defeat At Old Georgians
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men dropped to third in the Men's Hockey League Premier Division Top Six after they lost narrowly 2-1 at Old Georgians and Hampstead & Westminster beat Reading 5-0 to move up into second on goal difference.
Surbiton could have dropped further to fourth, but Wimbledon lost 4-2 at home to Holcombe to keep Wimbledon a point behind Surbiton in fourth, but Holcombe closed to within two points of Surbiton in fifth courtesy of their victory.
James Albery put Old Georgians ahead from open play in the fifth minute but Ben Park levelled from open play in the 31st minute to leave all to play for in the second half.
Lee Morton earned the victory for Old Georgians from a 47th minute penalty corner to open up an eight point lead over both Hampstead & Westminster and Surbiton as Old Georgians aim to retain their league title.
Stephen Kelly scored twice and Joe Hillyer, Toby Vaughan and Jolyon Morgan were also on target as Hampstead overwhelmed Reading at Paddington Recreation Ground
N.B. This match was originally recorded as a 6-0 win.
Holcombe won at Wimbledon for the first time since 2018 as Nick Bandurak ended his goal famine in South West London. Bandurak had failed to score as Holcombe lost on their last three visits, but his brace combined with Tom Russell's strike earned what could prove to be a vital 3-2 win. Liam Ansell and David Condon replied for Wimbledon.
N.B. This match was originally recorded as a 4-2 win for Holcombe with Hayden Phillips also scoring.
In the Lower Six, Brooklands Manchester University are still looking for their first win and Beeston are two points ahead of Oxted after Beeston won 4-3 at Brooklands. Richard Slater scored twice and Ben Wallace once for Brooklands; George Fletcher scored twice, Henry Croft brought Beeston level at 3-3 and just as in the first match at Nottingham Hockey Centre, Jamie Golden scored the winning goal.
Honours were even in the Surrey/ West Sussex derby as Oxted drew 2-2 at East Grinstead, Jonathan Lankfer scoring both Oxted goals. Fin Boothroyd and Tom Crowson scored for East Grinstead.
Exeter University moved above visitors the University of Nottingham following their 3-2 home win. Ben Fox and Jake Phillips gave Exeter a 2-0 lead before Charlie Axford and Conor Williamson drew Nottingham level with just three minutes to play. Lewis Wilcher's late penalty stroke proved decisive.
Surbiton next take on Holcombe next Saturday (18 February) at Sugden Road, push back 6 pm.