Huge game awaits for Hamilton sisters in women’s top flight

Rod Gilmour of The Hockey Paper looks ahead to a huge game in women’s top flight this weekend.

The Hamilton twin sisters (Sophie with Surbiton and Olivia with Hampstead & Westminster) will go up against each other on Saturday, with GB and England star Giselle Ansley relishing the prospect of another top-of-the-table clash.

Vitality Women’s Premier Division leaders Surbiton head to third-placed Hampstead & Westminster in a fitting billing as England Hockey’s match of the weekend.

Hampstead & Westminster will be looking to stop Surbiton recording a third successive win at Paddington Rec, with both sides having lost once this season to Wimbledon.

“There aren’t many points separating teams and we are looking forward to this weekend,” said Ansley.

“The games have more meaning [with the split league] and you work out in the first game against teams how to play in the second game. The same thing will happen this weekend and sussing each other out for the second half of the season when it really counts.”

Meanwhile, the Hamilton twins - who live and train together as part of the GB women’s programme - will face each other for the first time with their respective clubs, with the sisters having played each other when Olivia played with Loughborough Students last season.

“It will be exciting, their parents will be on the sidelines no doubt and we'll see who comes out on top,” said Ansley. 

“Both Liv and Sophie are incredibly talented. I play with Sophie every weekend, she goes about her business quietly and is a very important player for club and country. The main thing is we let her enjoy playing hockey and not put too much pressure on her.”

Sophie, 21, joined Surbiton after playing college hockey at University of Connecticut and will be looking to add to her tally after netting in the first four games of the season.

“She is incredibly smooth on the ball and her technical basics are really good,” said Ansley. “The nice thing is she looks to play other people in, link up and to get the ball back. She can hit a forehand and backhand, lift the ball and has so many skills in front of goal and why she scores so many for us. She is technically very good and why she can make an impact each weekend.”

Ansley, having returned from a season in the Netherlands, is enthused by Surbiton’s continued talent line, which has seen the likes of Jessica Dyson - who scored on her 18th birthday last month - make their debut this season.

“It’s great that the girls are getting experience and exposure at 17 and 18,” admitted Ansley. “You need a big squad through a whole season, to call on players when there are injuries. 

“The fact that the girls are playing in the first half of the season is exciting for us and GB Hockey, to see so many youngsters with the skill set they have and playing with no fear.”

Saturday: Hampstead & Westminster vs Surbiton, 4pm