Women’s 2s 3 - 2 Barnes 1s (A)
By Lilie Lamacraft
Surbiton HC secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Barnes in an intense encounter, with brilliant individual performances and a superb team effort on display.
It was a beautiful day for hockey as both teams took to the pitch with focused warm-ups, setting the stage for what would prove to be a thrilling match. Barnes started strong, applying high pressure from the first whistle, forcing Surbiton to defend early. However, the visitors quickly found their rhythm, and it was Emma Uprichard who opened the scoring with a stunning breakaway finish. Emma's composure in front of goal gave Surbiton the early advantage, putting them 1-0 up.
Barnes responded with a series of attacking moves, and Surbiton knew they would need to remain sharp to hold onto their lead. A textbook build-up from defence to midfield saw Surbiton win a corner. The rebound from Amie’s fierce hit, saw injector Sophie Osbourne find herself one-on-one with the Barnes goalkeeper. Showing excellent composure and skill, Sophie calmly slotted the ball home to double Surbiton's lead, making it 2-0.
As the second half began, it was clear that Barnes were not going to give up easily. They launched a swift counter-attack early in the second half, and a well-executed finish from their forward brought the score back to 2-1, giving them renewed hope. Surbiton knew they had to dig deep to protect their lead.
The match continued to be an end-to-end affair, with both teams creating chances. A brilliant breakaway led by Nat Barnicoat and Cecily Moorhead saw Izzy Yonge get on the end of a perfectly timed pass, and with a delightful reverse-hit finish, Izzy restored Surbiton's two-goal cushion, making it 3-1. But Barnes were relentless, and in a tense final quarter, they scored once more to make it 3-2, setting up a nail-biting finish.
Surbiton held their nerve, and despite Barnes' late pressure, the team held on for a well-deserved victory. Jemma Woods was named Surbiton's Player of the Match for her outstanding performance in goal. Without her fantastic saves, the scoreline could have looked very different.
A special mention must also go to the defensive unit of Autumn, Josie, Maelona, and SJ, who were exceptional under immense pressure throughout the match. Their resilience and commitment were key to keeping Barnes at bay, especially in the closing stages. The midfield and forwards also deserve credit for their patience and excellent work in transitioning from defence to attack, particularly in the crucial moments when the breakthrough came.
On a lighter note, I was voted DOD for a small lapse in concentration when I mistakenly shouted to the bench that Surbiton only had nine outfield players on, forgetting that SJ had received a card at the end of the third quarter. Oops!
A big thank you to the Surbiton HC supporters who made the trip to Barnes and provided invaluable encouragement from the sidelines. Your positivity was greatly appreciated and undoubtedly helped the team maintain their focus throughout the match.
Goalscorers: Emma Uprichard, Sophie Osbourne, Izzy Yonge
A superb team performance, with every player giving their all, made this a memorable victory for Surbiton. The girls represented themselves and the club with pride in what was a highly intense game.