The race for the South Clubs’ Women’s Hockey League Division One title will go to the wire, following Surbiton Ladies’ goalless draw at eighth-placed Harrow on Saturday.

With five games remaining, Surbiton held a nine point lead over Reading 1A.

Whereas Surbiton’s form has dipped recently, only taking four points from their last four games; Reading 1A have won their last four games to reduce Surbiton’s lead to a single point with one game to play.

Fortunately, Surbiton have already clinched promotion to the England Hockey League, as Reading 1A cannot be promoted because second teams are not allowed to play in the EHL.

In damp conditions at the Jewish Free School in Kingsbury, Surbiton struggled to find their rhythm, and recapture the form which has taken them to the top of the league.

As in the previous meeting at Sugden Road in November, Harrow played defensively, but this time Surbiton couldn’t find a way to break through the home defence.

Harrow had the first opportunity to open the scoring in the fourth minute, but were prevented from shooting from their first penalty corner award.

Five minutes later, Harrow’s goalkeeper, Julie Fielder saved a shot from Emma Jones, as Surbiton failed to score from their first penalty corner.

Emma Royce, Helen Grant and Molly Hanson-Akins tried to set up an attack but were thwarted by a home defender; and a dribbling run by Hannah Oakes found Kelly Taylor in the circle, but once again the Harrow defence successfully cleared the ball.

Fielder also denied Sian Craze after good play by Grant, and a subsequent dribble by Taylor was cleared for a long corner.

In the 22nd minute, Harrow could have taken the lead but for an excellent double save by Surbiton’s goalkeeper, Jeanne Heunis.

Surbiton continued to be frustrated as Fielder denied Emma Broad; a brilliant run by Grant who took the ball around the Harrow goalkeeper, was ended by another defensive clearance; and an attacking move originated by Royce and Hanson-Akins, resulting in a long pass to Broad, and a final pass to Oakes was also cleared.

The game was suspended, five minutes before half time, when Harrow’s captain, Kerri Lendon, suffered a facial injury which needed treatment.

In the second half, there was further frustration as realisation dawned that the leaders weren’t going to score the goal they needed to clinch the league championship; The visitors’ last chance came with just four minutes remaining, Jones shooting past the left post from Surbiton’s fifth and final penalty corner.

Reading 1A won, 3-1 at Epsom, and will host Harrow in their final league match next Saturday (27 March). Surbiton will need to beat seventh-placed Oxford Hawks at Sugden Road (11.30 am) to ensure that they are promoted as league champions.

SURBITON LADIES: Heunis (GK); Jenkins, Heptonstall (Capt.), Royce, Hanson-Akins, Tait, Jones, Taylor, Oakes, Broad, Craze. Subs: Grant, Holmes, Jolly.