A second minute penalty corner conversion from Vicky Bryant gave Surbiton Ladies a dream start, and set them on the path to a comfortable victory in their first-ever England Hockey League match, at Reed’s School on Saturday.

Dereham, last season’s East League champions, and fellow EHL Conference East newcomers, were left stunned as Bryant sent the ball high into the goal from Surbiton’s first award.

Eight minutes later, the visitors fell further behind, thanks to a drag-flick from Emma Rowland-Jones rebounding off the backboard following another penalty corner award.

Dereham had chances to get back into the game, but home goalkeeper, Dulcie Davies, one of eight players playing their first league match for Surbiton, made an excellent save to her right to thwart a penalty corner..

Although Dereham occasionally threatened, Surbiton continued to put the Dereham defence under pressure, Hannah Palmer and Chloe Hobson both having to make important clearances to ensure that the visitors only trailed 2-0 at the interval.

Abi Robinson troubled the visiting defence early in the second half, Steph Savage and Helen Malcolmson combining to thwart a threatening run down the left.

Surbiton’s third goal came from a well worked move seven minutes into the second half. Maddie Tait crossed from the right, Molly Hanson Akins beating Dereham’s goalkeeper, Jess Purser, with a quick reaction shot from the centre of the circle.

Robinson was the only player to be cautioned during the game, receiving a green card in the 43rd minute. Surbiton were grateful that the rule introduced this season that players receiving green cards would be suspended for two minutes only applies to both Premier Divisions, meaning Robinson was allowed to remain on the pitch.

Dereham had Purser to thank for not being further in arrears, following saves from Alex Teasdale and Bryant in the first half; and Helen Grant, and Robinson in the second. The visiting supporters from Norfolk had cause for celebration with nine minutes to play, as Helen Durrans made history by scoring Dereham’s first-ever EHL goal via a penalty corner conversion.

Any hopes of a fairytale comeback were ended by Jessica Brooker, who having scored 14 goals for Staines to become the third highest scorer in the Conference West last season, staked an early claim for this season’s Conference East top scorer award with two clinical penalty corner conversions in the 62nd and 65th minutes.

Surbiton were prevented from heading the Conference East table by Chelmsford, who beat Harleston Magpies 5-0. Sevenoaks beat Cambridge City 4-0; Ipswich came from behind to win 2-1 at Old Loughtonians; and St. Albans drew 1-1 with Horsham.

Surbiton travel to Norfolk next Saturday (25 September), to play Harleston Magpies (push back 12 noon).

SURBITON LADIES: Davies (GK); Heptonstall (Capt.), Gordon, Jenkins, James; Tait, Rowland-Jones, Robinson; Bryant, Teasdale, Morgan. Subs: Brooker, Grant, Hanson Akins; Royce, Tranquille-Day (GK - did not play).