Men’s 2s 4 - 2 Hampstead & Westminster 2s (H)
By Glyn Jones
On a bright spring afternoon, the scene was set for the M2s’ big day. After a rollercoaster season, that had seen them waste a number of good chances to build a cushion at the top of the league, it all came down to the last game. A win would almost certainly mean Surbiton would be Champions and promoted for the first time into South Division 1 next season (just one league below our M1, and as the L2 found out last season, as high as they can go). Any other result would mean a nervous wait for the final score to come in from Chiswick where London Wayfarers, the only team left in the title chase, were playing Wimbledon 2s who were fighting for their own national league survival.
Surbiton made a bright start, dominating possession and were rewarded with a PS after just eight minutes. Morgan Males took a long, slow walk forward to take the crucial stroke. Fair to say not his greatest, but good enough to beat Lekan O in the H&W goal. More chances followed in H1 but all were spurned, and just before half time, H&W stunned the home crowd with a fortuitous PC equaliser. Suffice to say, a ‘doosra’ deceived Dewi and went in off the back of Morgan’s stick as he desperately tried to clear it on the line.
After a break to re-water a P1 that was struggling to cope in a spring heatwave, and with Frankie desperate for sun screen on the sideline, the M2 took the field determined to find a way to win. Q3 was scrappy, and in contrast to the crowd who were becoming ever more nervous, the players on the pitch continued to calmly press for an opening as H&W legs strained. In the 59th minute, a chance fell to Freddie Lett who coolly converted to give the lads the lead. Just two minutes later, a neat finish by Will Haspel doubled the advantage, and with less than ten minutes to play, it was all smiles and confidence. News had filtered through to the bench that Wayfarers and Wimbledon were 1-1 entering their final quarter. Credit to the H&W boys who continued to battle and a sharp backhand from ‘just’ inside the D, pulled one back with seven minutes to play.
The M2 kept their heads, steadied the ship, continued to play a positive brand of hockey and were rewarded with a stunning fourth goal from POM Jack Hobkirk. Those that saw Jack in the changing rooms and toilets before the match, would be surprised that he took the field. The sun nearly claimed another victim as his drive round the M25 triggered a migraine, threatening to deprive the boys of their star midfielder. After half an hour resting in the dark, Jack arrived on the bench in his shades just before PB. Once he was on the pitch, his jazz hands left numerous opponents in his wake, and his goal crowned a season that has regularly seen him pick up POM votes for consistent performances.
The final whistle was blown by Jack Willis, umpiring his 100th NPUA game, and the M2 boys could finally celebrate the win, shortly followed by a League title as news filtered through on X that Wimbledon had beaten Wayfarers 2-1.
So next season, the M2 will take the field in Div 1 South, against marquee clubs’ 1XIs such as Teddington, Indian Gymkhana, Sevenoaks, Canterbury and the students of Exeter University.
Well done to all 29 players who represented the side this season. As Rhys said at Christmas, small margins win titles, and it was always going to come down to crucial contributions across the whole group at key moments to make the difference. Particular thanks to Max Anderson (Capt), Morgan Males (VC), and of course coach Frankie.
In the last eight seasons, the M2 have gone from playing in the old London League Premier Division, a ‘friendly’ league restricted to the best 2XIs in the South, through three promotions and a Tier 2 Cup triumph to where they are now. Rhys Linnell, Scott Evans and Dave Bartram have been there from the start. Max Anderson and Scott Jones were involved as juniors in the early days and have returned after taking a sabbatical for University. The coaches have done a super job – thanks to first Creedy, then Jamma and now Frankie.
It’s been a great ride!