Dominant Surbiton victorious in Championship Final

After being in the Premier Division for only two seasons Surbiton lifted the Investec Women’s Championship trophy with a gutsy 3-0 victory over high-flyers Canterbury. In the game before, Reading brushed off yesterday’s disappointing defeat with a 6-0 victory over Clifton in the third/fourth Championship play-off.

Earlier in the day the Investec Women’s Play-Offs finished in delight for Buckingham and Holcombe as both sides gained promotion from their respective Conference sides into the Premier Division. Holcombe romped to an 8-2 victory over Brooklands Poynton, while brave Buckingham battled to a 2-0 victory over Sutton Coldfield to take their place alongside Holcombe in the top flight.

Investec Women’s Hockey League Championship

Canterbury 0 (0)

Surbiton 3 (1)

Emily Atkinson 2 (PC)

Hollie Webb 53 (PC)

Jenna Woolven 57 (FG)

Surbiton dominated from the off but a resilient Canterbury battled right to the end. Surbiton’s first goal came just four minutes in from a penalty corner; Chloe Strong’s initial shot was saved but Emily Atkinson managed to net the rebound to give Surbiton an early 1-0 lead. A few minutes later Surbiton were awarded their second penalty corner but this time were unable to convert.

The second quarter saw more chances for Surbiton to extend their lead, however it was Eliza Brett of Canterbury who perhaps came closest to a second goal of the game firing her shot just wide of the post. The second quarter continued with further chances for Surbiton in what was a frustrating quarter for the Surrey team who were unable to capitalise on their chances.

The start of the third quarter continued with both sides vying for possession. Canterbury had their chances to bring the game level, but a great run from Beckie Herbert down the right resulted in a penalty corner for Surbiton in the dying seconds of the quarter. Georgie Twigg almost made it a second goal for her team but her shot was saved by Helen Fagg and it was Hollie Webb who followed up on the rebound to ensure Surbiton went into the last quarter with a 2-0 lead.

Surbiton’s third and final goal came courtesy of a great ball from goal scorer Atkinson to Jenna Woolven who slotted the ball into the net to score her third of the weekend. Surbiton came close to a fourth with Twigg, Charlotte Calnan and Sarah Page all nearly scoring, but Fagg stood strong in the Canterbury goal. The final score ended at 3-0, much to the delight of the Surbiton Barmy Army who had come in force to support their side.

Surbiton’s league victory ensured they not only claimed the Investec Women’s Championship but also guaranteed them their place in Europe next season.

Speaking after the match, an elated Georgie Twigg commented "We are absolutely over the moon, we fought our hearts out against Reading yesterday and got the result and then came out today against Canterbury, a tough opposition and put in another good performance; we’re all absolutely thrilled. There are players that hadn’t been selected for this weekend but have played an integral part of the season, so it’s really been a whole squad effort and I’m really proud of all the girls."

Reading 6 (5)
Becky Halle 1, 35, 54 (FG, FG, PC)
Jess Brooker 6 (FG)
Alex Danson 10, 19 (FG, FG)

Clifton 0 (0)

Reading got off to a flying start and took the lead in the first minute through Becky Halle. She deflected a cross from the left hand side and there was nothing Caitlin Jefferies could do in the Clifton goal, as the ball flew in just above the back board. Five minutes later Reading were 2 – 0 up as Jess Brooker controlled a loose ball in the circle and swept home on her reverse from close range.

England international and Premier Division top goal scorer Alex Danson soon got in on the action to give her side a 3 – 0 lead, with a trademark reverse stick strike, fired low into the bottom corner. This sparked Clifton into attack and they began putting pressure on the Reading defence. However, Kate Walsh was commanding at the back and continued to release the forwards on dangerous counter attacks, resulting in Reading scoring two more before the break. Firstly, England team mates Susie Gilbert and Danson combined down the right hand side and Danson was able to get her second of the game, tipping it past Jefferies after 19 minutes. Halle then gave her side a 5 – 0 lead going into half time as she pounced on the end of a cross that was fired across the face of the goal.

Reading continued the second half as they had finished the first, pressing high and looking threatening in attack. Sam Quek was lively on the right hand side, causing problems for the Clifton defence and winning numerous penalty corners. In the 54th minute, her efforts were rewarded as Reading got their sixth and Halle her hat-trick from a penalty corner. Walsh dummied from the top of the circle and the ball with slipped to Halle on the left who slapped it goal wards. Jefferies got her pads to it but there was nothing she could do to stop the ball sneaking over the line.

Danson almost got her hat-trick in the last ten minutes but she was unable to convert Brooker’s powerful strike at the back post and the final scored remained at 6 – 0. The victory means that Reading finish third in the Premier Division for the 2013/14 season.

Speaking after their win, Reading's Alex Danson had this to say: "We were really disappointed after yesterday’s game; all credit to Surbiton, they played a fantastic game, but we came out today, played really well and came away with a win so we’re really happy with that. Looking ahead to Europe, we want to get to the final and the icing on the cake would be winning! It’s not been done for a while by an English team so that’s our aim and that will be our real focus."

Investec Women’s Play-Offs

Buckingham 2 (1)

Zoe Shipperley 21, 70 (PC, PC)

Sutton Coldfield 0 (0)

In what was a closely-fought encounter, Buckingham secured their place in next year’s Premier Division with a gutsy 2-0 victory over Sutton Coldfield.

Buckingham went into their final fixture needing a win to secure Premier Division status next season; for Sutton Coldfield a draw would have been enough to stay in the top flight.

The first half saw Buckingham largely dominate possession with a number of early chances for the team in black. Buckingham’s Katrina Nicholson made a great attempt on goal in the opening minutes forcing Sutton Coldfield’s keeper, Batsford into making an important save. This was followed by Buckingham’s Jo Ellis almost giving her team an early lead with a great solo effort weaving her way into the circle forcing Batsford into making another great save.

The early pressure from Buckingham eventually resulted in a penalty corner which was blocked efficiently by Emma McCabe. A second penalty corner followed shortly for Buckingham, given for obstruction. Sam Sandham took the penalty but another great save from Batsford kept Buckingham off the score sheet. Sutton Coldfield made a good shot on goal to break the run of play at the end of the opening quarter but failed to capitalise as Laura Price’s shot drifted wide of the goal.

It was a third penalty corner which gave Buckingham the lead. A well worked routine in the 20th minute saw captain Zoe Shipperley convert what was a well-deserved lead for her team. Sutton had a couple of chances in the last ten minutes of the first half, however they were unable to capitalise. A couple of last minute opportunities for the team in pink saw Sutton defend brilliantly and keep an equalising goal at bay. The first half ended 1-0 to Buckingham.

The second half got underway with a much stronger performance from Sutton Coldfield. Both teams had a number of chances to add their efforts to the score sheet. Sutton’s Emma McCabe made a great tackle and pass which resulted in a foot in the circle and a penalty corner to her side. Sutton, however were unable to convert their penalty and minutes later a green card was given to Buckingham’s Katrina Nicholson. On her return to the pitch, Nicholson almost put her side two goals ahead with a good shot on goal saved by Batsford.

It came down to the last five minutes of the match with both teams still very much in with a chance of Premier Division hockey. Sutton Coldfield had a chance from a penalty corner but were unable to find the target and it was Buckingham who had the final word. Captain Shipperley fired home her second goal of the day to give her team a well-deserved 2-0 win and promotion into the Premier Division on their fourth attempt.

Speaking after the game, Buckingham captain and goal scorer Zoe Shipperley was immensely proud of her team. “It wasn’t our best performance but we were tough and resilient. Sutton pressed us really hard in the second half and we just had to dig deep. It’s an unbelievable feeling to secure promotion and I’m absolutely thrilled to be in the Premiership next year – bring it on! Hopefully we can continue the good work and keep moving forward.”

Brooklands Poynton 2 (0)
Cat Savage 64, 69 (FG, FG)

Holcombe 8 (2)
Nicci Daly 11 (FG)
Shelley Russell 29, 58 (FG, FG)
Lucy Wood 38 (PS)
Megan Frazer 51, 56, 66 (PC, FG, PC)
Steph Elliott 54 (PC)

Holcombe secured promotion into the Premier Division in style with an emphatic 8 – 2 victory over Brooklands Poynton, in the first Investec Women’s Hockey League Play-Off match of the day.

The game started at a fast pace with both teams looking threatening in attack. Holcombe got the early breakthrough after just 11 minutes, when Megan Frazer rounded the keeper to set up a tap in for Nicci Daly on the back post. Holcombe doubled their lead 18 minutes later with a fantastic individual goal from Shelley Russell, firing on her reverse stick, low into the bottom right hand corner. Towards the end of the first half, there was some sustained pressure from Brooklands but the Holcombe defence remained strong and the score stood at 2 – 0 going into the break.

Holcombe started to dominate possession in the second half. A penalty stroke calmly converted by Lucy Wood, followed by a well worked penalty corner routine, finished by Frazer, soon meant the score was 4 – 0. A further three goals for Holcombe in the space of four minutes from Steph Elliot, Frazer and Russell saw the score stand at 7 – 0.

Brooklands pulled back a goal on 64 minutes after they countered quickly from a defensive penalty corner. Cat Savage lifted the ball over England International Maddie Hinch from close range, after the initial strike from their penalty corner was blocked.

Frazer rounded off a fantastic individual performance with her hat-trick in the 66th minute firing a reverse stick strike into the top corner. However, it was Brooklands who grabbed the last goal of the game in the final minute, when Savage bagged a brace, skilfully lifting the ball over Hinch after she was put through on goal. The final score stood at 8 – 2 and Holcombe celebrated as their promotion up to the Premier Division for the 2014/15 season was secured.

Speaking after the game Holcombe Captain Leigh Maasdorp was delighted with her team's performance, "It's been a good tournament for us. Our first game we started off with a draw from Sutton Coldfield which put us in good standing for this weekend, we knew we'd have to work a lot harder and put some good performances in if we wanted to win the tournament and get promotion to the premier division."

Adding her thoughts on playing in the Investec Premier Division next season she added, "We'll be looking at a little break before next season and then we'll regroup in July/August and start building towards our season in the prem. We're relishing the opportunity to play against some of the top teams, it's such an exciting place to be for the team, and the club, so we're really looking forward to what's to come."

Play-Off tournament standings