M1 Win All 8 Games To Clinch Super Sixes Promotion
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Men made an immediate return to the Super Sixes Premier Division by winning all eight games in Division One to finish as champions in emphatic style.
Surbiton had won all four games at Nottingham Trent University last weekend before beating both Beeston and Bowdon 8-3 on the first day of competition at the University of the West of England in Bristol.
Surbiton's promotion was confirmed when Repton, the only team who could have mathematically prevented them from finishing in the top two, lost 3-2 to Ashmoor in the opening match on Sunday.
In the second scheduled match, Surbiton overwhelmed Brooklands Manchester University 13-1 to confirm that they were returning to the Premier Division as Division One champions.
Surbiton started slowly, Jake Payton's eighth minute goal the only goal in the first quarter, before the champions elect found their form with four goals in the second quarter. Will Haspel scored at the start of the second period; James Gall struck in the 14th and 17th minute and Rob Farrington gave Surbiton a 5-0 half time lead with a goal just before the interval.
Five goals followed in a hectic third quarter with James Gall completing a hat-trick in the 21st minute, Stuart Rushmere netting in the 23rd minute, Payton also notching a hat-trick in the 29th minute after scoring his second goal in the 24th, and Farrington scoring his second goal of the game in the 26th minute.
Brooklands only fielded seven players, but were rewarded in the 30th minute when James Lavers scored what proved to be their consolation goal as Brooklands went into the final quarter trailing 10-1.
Jonny Gall scored Surbiton's eleventh and twelfth goals, both in the 32nd minute from penalty corners before Haspel joined Farrington and Jonny Gall on braces with his second goal in the penultimate minute to complete the comprehensive 13-1 victory.
With promotion and the championship secured, Surbiton faced Surrey rivals Guildford in their final match as they aimed to complete a Division One Grand Slam. But as in their previous Surrey derby against Oxted, Surbiton had to battle before finally coming out on top with a 9-5 win.
Surbiton led 3-1 at the end of the first quarter. thanks to two goals from Rushmere and one from Ollie Stone. Michael Wood had briefly equalised for Guildford in the fourth minute, but by half time, Surbiton were to find themselves in a battle as Guildford came back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3 before Surbiton found a late equaliser to make the score at the break, 4-4.
Ed Tristem's 14th minute penalty corner saw the start of Guildford's mini-comeback with Jarryd Jones and Tylo Remke putting Guildford 4-3 after 18 minutes, Haspel levelling in the 20th minute to leave honours even at half time.
The momentum was back with Surbiton in the third quarter as Payton and James Gall quickly gave Surbiton a 6-4 advantage, Adam Buckle adding a seventh goal at the end of the third quarter.
Wood scored Guildford's fifth goal, but Jonny Gall and Payton made the game safe for Surbiton in the fourth quarter to ensure Surbiton were promoted having achieved maximum points from their eight games.
Payton finished as the Division One top scorer with 17 goals, his nearest rival Charlie Axford, also celebrating promotion with Oxted, who finished eight points behind Surbiton in second place.
Ashmoor, who won just one of their first four games in Nottingham, had a far better experience in Bristol and finished third on 13 points, ahead of Repton on goal difference.
Beeston and Brooklands Manchester University were relegated to Division Two.
More information about the Men's Division One tournament can be found at the England Hockey Altius website here.
Surbiton and Oxted will replace Canterbury and Team Bath Buccaneers in the 2026 Men's Premier Division. Wimbledon finished top of the Premier Division table, four points ahead of last season's champions, Old Georgians and will meet Southgate in the semi-finals at Derby Arena on 26 January. Old Georgians will face third placed East Grinstead.
The two promoted teams from Men's Division Two will be decided next weekend when a six team tournament consisting of the top three teams from Division Two North and South compete at Repton.