W1 Face Three Team Battle For Finals Qualification
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Women will effectively face a three team battle with Guildford and Harleston Magpies on Sunday to decide which team will qualify in fourth place for the Super 6s Finals Day at Derby on 28 January.
All three teams will play each other on Sunday with Surbiton facing Harleston Magpies at 1000, Guildford at 1300 and Guildford playing Harleston Magpies in the penultimate match of the day at 1600.
Last season's runners-up and this season's European representatives, Buckingham have already qualified with maximum points from six matches with Slough almost there on 14 points and East Grinstead on 13.
Surbiton and Guildford are both on nine points with Surbiton having a four better goal difference and Harleston Magpies just a point behind as Surbiton battle with both of last season's promoted teams.
Surbiton suffered another frustrating defeat, going down 2-0 to leaders Buckingham who needed two goals in the last six minutes to secure the three points, Lottie Porter opening the scoring from open play in the 34th minute and Sally Walton securing the win from the penalty spot three minutes later.
In comparison, Surbiton's match against Bowdon proved to be a goal fest, Surbiton winning 6-4 after Bowdon scored two late goals.
Steph Elliott gave Surbiton a fifth minute lead from a penalty corner, only for Hannah MacDonald to level for Bowdon from open play on the quarter hour. Surbiton led 2-1 at half time thanks to Amie Hunt's 18th minute goal, but Bowdon battled to equalise a second time in the 25th minute through Beth Alexander's open play goal.
Surbiton dominated in an eight minute spell which saw them score four goals to lead 6-2, Alice Sharp scoring from open play in the 27th minute and a penalty corner a minute later, Elliott and Hunt both scoring their second goals of the match in the 30th and 35th minutes.
Bowdon didn't give up and replied with Catriona Booth's penalty corner in the 37th minute before Lauren Hunt quickly scored a second goal from open play within a minute to make the final score 6-4.
Sunday's matches can be followed in real time on the England Hockey Altius website here