It's getting tight at the top for Surbiton Ladies

Surbiton Ladies’ lead at the top of South Clubs’ Women’s Hockey League Division One is now down to three points after they lost at Havant on Saturday, having led 2-0 and 3-1. Reading 1A beat Woking 3-1 at home to maintain the pressure on the Long Ditton-based team.

At Havant College, Surbiton were without penalty corner specialist Emma Jones and Kelly Taylor through injury. Havant could have taken the lead from their first penalty corner in the ninth minute, but a combination of good defensive play by Sian Craze, and a save by goalkeeper Jeanne Heunis kept the Surbiton goal intact. Surbiton struggled to find their rhythm, not only because of Havant’s defence; but because there were also several stoppages for infringements, which would eventually lead to Surbiton finishing the game with nine players on the pitch.

Havant had three clear chances to score in the first half, but it was Surbiton who led 2-0 at half-time, having scored twice in the last three minutes of the half, both goals related to penalty corner awards.

Craze opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, slotting home a penalty stroke awarded following Surbiton’s first penalty corner; and Helen Grant was on hand to convert Surbiton’s second penalty corner two minutes later, finishing off the initial shot from Minnie James.

The first indication that Havant were going to fight back came three minutes into the second half, Hollie Nutt reducing the deficit to 2-1. But, within two minutes, it seemed that the comeback was only going to be temporary, Emma Broad restoring the visitors' two-goal lead.

Surbiton were pegged back to 3-3 as Havant scored twice in two minutes. Lucy Fawcett scored with a rising shot in the 45th minute, with Katie Pugh equalising in the 47th minute.

Havant could have fallen behind again, but for Surbiton’s inability to convert four successive penalty corner awards. Immediately afterwards, Havant were awarded their third penalty corner of the match, Nutt converting in the 59th minute to score her second goal of the game, and complete the hosts’ comeback.

Surbiton’s hopes of snatching an equaliser late in the game were dashed as the umpires suddenly decided to penalise bad tackles with yellow cards. Surbiton’s captain, Victoria Heptonstall, was sent to the sin-bin with less than five minutes remaining, closely followed by her colleague, Helen Philp. Both players were stunned by their extreme punishments, which left the visitors with nine players on the pitch at the end of the game.

This Saturday, Surbiton visit eighth-placed Harrow for their final away league match of the season, knowing that a win will virtually clinch the league championship. Surbiton will be hoping to recapture the from which earned them a 4-0 win at Sugden Road in November. Reading 1A visit Epsom.

SURBITON LADIES: Heunis (GK); James, Philp, Jenkins, Tait, Heptonstall (Capt.), Royce, Hanson-Akins, Grant, Broad, Craze. Subs: Aitchison, Clacher, Jolly, Oakes.