M1 On Course For Super Sixes Promotion After Week 1
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men are on course for an immediate return to the Super Sixes Premier Division after winning all four games in Division One at Nottingham Trent University over the first weekend.
Surbiton followed up their opening day victories over Oxted (6-5) and Repton (9-0) by beating Exeter University 6-2 and Ashmoor 4-2 to open up a three point lead over second placed Oxted and a five point lead over third placed Bowdon.
Surbiton had to wait until the seventh minute to open the scoring against Exeter University thanks to Nick Nurse's open play goal. Jake Payton added a penalty corner two minutes later and by half time, Exeter trailed 3-0, Stuart Rushmere adding the third from open play.
Seb Ansley pulled a goal back for Exeter three minutes after half time and although Rushmere converted a penalty corner two minutes before the end of the third quarter, Kent Sheard kept Exeter in the match with an open play goal six minutes from time.
James Gall gave Surbiton a 5-2 lead a minute after Sheard struck with Conor Williamson's penalty corner effort in the 38th minute ensuring Surbiton won 6-2 to maintain their one hundred per cent record.
Surbiton and Ashmoor had met last season in the Premier Division with Ashmoor winning 3-0, but in 2025, Surbiton led 3-0 at half time, Conor Williamson breaking the deadlock with a sixth minute penalty corner, Rushmere doubling their lead from open play two minutes later and Payton scoring the third a minute before the end of the second quarter.
However, Ashmoor threatened to make a comeback in the third quarter as Jack Dinnie scored in the 32nd minute and Sol Bloomfield netted five minutes later to reduce Surbiton's advantage to 3-2.
But Payton earned Surbiton an insurance open play goal with two minutes remaining to seal a 4-2 win and keep Surbiton in prime position for promotion.
The action transfers from the East Midlands to the West of England next weekend when Surbiton complete their fixtures in Bristol. Surbiton start against Beeston at 1430 on Saturday (11 January) before what could prove to be a key matchup with Bowdon at 1830.
On Sunday, Surbiton face Brooklands Manchester University at 1000 before finishing against Surrey rivals Guildford at 1600.
More information, including results, scorers and match data can be found at the England Hockey Altius website here.