Opening Day League Wins for First Teams
By Surbiton HC
The Surbiton Women’s 1s and Men’s 1s opened their 2026/27 campaigns with victories on Saturday afternoon.
Women’s 1s 3 - 1 Teddington 1s (A)
The Women’s 1s had a short away trip to Teddington for a 2pm pushback, with the opposition side playing their first ever game in the Women’s Premier Division. The W1 had a familiar look about it, albeit with new debutants Ava Findlay and Lizzy Pocknell lining up alongside youngster Monica Alcover who continues to impress following her first team debut last season.
Despite their lack of top flight experience, it was Teddington who opened the scoring with former Surbiton 2s player Harriet Bisdee notching up a field goal in the 17th minute.
Their lead didn’t last long, with Player of the Match Amy Costello converting two penalty corners in the space of four minutes shortly afterwards to give Surbiton the advantage going into half time.
Darcy Bourne extended Surbiton’s lead with a 47th minute field goal to seal a 3-1 win and an important three points on the opening day of Surbiton’s title defence.
Men’s 1s 3 - 2 Old Georgians 1s (H)
The Men’s 1s hosted local rivals Old Georgians in an early evening start at Sugden Road on Saturday. Nye Roberts, Rory Penrose and James Oates all put in solid performances on their debuts in SHC colours, with a big crowd at Sugden Road being treated to a thrilling first half, with the Premier Division heavyweights scoring all five of the game’s goals within a breathless fourteen minute period.
Gareth Furlong opened the scoring with a trademark penalty corner flick in the 16th minute, but this was pegged back three minutes later with a field goal for Dave Condon. Oates opened his Surbiton account by deflecting home a field goal from close range on the 20 minute mark, but it took only two minutes for Old Georgians to level up again through former SHC man Alan Forsyth.
The result ultimately came down to Nick Bandurak’s unstoppable deft finish high into James Mazarelo’s net in the 30th minute, and despite a well contested second half there were no further goals and Surbiton secured the three points and early season bragging rights with a final score of 3-2.