Surbiton begin their 20th season in England’s national league structure this Sunday when they travel to Nottingham to play Beeston at the Highfields Sports Centre (2pm).

The fixture was originally scheduled for Sugden Road but, with the Long Ditton-based club’s main water-based pitch still under replacement the venues of the two 2010-11 National Premier Division meetings between the clubs have had to be switched.

Last season, Surbiton won 6-4 at home in October 2009 and lost 5-1 away in March 2010, eventually finishing third in the country’s elite 10-team league, five points ahead of Beeston in fourth place.

Last Sunday, Surbiton lost their last of eight pre-season practice games against formidable opposition in the shape of Reading, who were last season’s league winners.

However, like Surbiton, the Berkshire side ended up as National Championship semi-final losers – 2-1 at home to Beeston – while Surbiton lost 5-1 away to East Grinstead, with the latter side going on to beat Beeston 9-7 on penalty strokes after a 4-4 draw in the final at Highfields.

Although unavailabilities and injuries meant that Reading could only field a squad of 15 (including two goalkeepers, so they had just three outfield rolling subs) compared to Surbiton’s squad of 17 (six outfield rolling subs), the hosts won the match 2-0.

Both goals came from open play, in the third minute of the first half and 15th minute of the second, with Reading failing to convert six penalty corners and Surbiton four.

The result meant that Surbiton lost three and won five of their pre-season matches, scoring 20 goals and conceding 14.