Review: Clifton Robinsons match Surbiton at top of Premier Division

In Week 2 of the Premier Division, we saw high-scoring Hampstead and Westminster travel to Holcombe Park for the season's second match. Going 1-0 down in the sixth minute through a Melanie Wilkinson field goal, Holcombe were determined not to let history repeat itself, having lost every game in the Premier Division at home to Hampstead & Westminster. Holcombe struck back through a Catherine Ledesma penalty corner in the 13th minute to level the scores. Hampstead & Westminster upped the pressure to take a two-goal lead into the halftime break thanks to Lauren Turner (17) and Holly Hunt's (32) open-play goals.

Holcombe came back fighting in the second half with late penalty corner goals from Hattie Jones (44) and Freya Ball (51), ensuring that the points were shared for the first time at Holcombe Park.

Holcombe's opponents from last week, Clifton Robinsons, continued their fine start to the season with a 2-1 win on the road at Reading. Robbies move into second place on goal difference in the league. 

Surbiton remain top of the division, following last week's 5-0 victory, with a 3-0 win over near rivals East Grinstead. Sophie Hamilton was on the scoresheet again for Surbiton with a 21st-minute penalty corner to give her side the halftime lead. Hannah Martin doubled the advantage with an open play goal before Darcy Bourne (68) rounded off the scoring giving Surbiton a 3-0 win.

Loughborough Students would be forgiven for thinking a repeat of last week's 5-0 loss was on the cards, as Wimbledon took a 2-0 lead into the first quarter break, thanks to Suzy Petty (5) and Fiona Burnett (14) open play goals. 'Boro regrouped at the first interval and came out fighting, pulling the game level at halftime with Maddie Goodman (24) and Becca Malyon (35) with the goals. 2-2 at halftime was how it would stay for the remainder of the match.

After an opening day draw with the University of Nottingham, Beeston picked up their first win away at Buckingham. The home side took the advantage late in the game with a Joe Ellis Day (51) penalty corner. In a lead that lasted less than a minute, Nadia Benallal (52) levelled the scores from the penalty spot before a late Cerys Miller (69) goal sealed the win and ensured all three points returned to Beeston.

The University of Birmingham produced an excellent second-half comeback after the University of Nottingham led 2-0 through Merle Knobloch (14) and Grace O'Malley Kumar's (34) open-play goals. Hannah Pearce (45) started the comeback with a penalty corner goal, Betsan Thomas (53) equalled the scores before penalty corner goals from Sarah Spooner (62), and Delyth Thomas (68) completed the scoring for a 2-4 victory.

Bowdon maintained their winning start to the season with a dominant 4-0 victory over Brooklands-Poynton away from home. Their second win of the season puts them joint top of the Vitality Women's Division One North with Stourport.

Stourport repeated their scoreline from the opening day with a 2-1 victory away at Durham University. Bryony Gilgrass (7) and Saraj Parkinson-Mills (20) with the goals for Stourport. Lucy Millard (23) pulled one back for Durham University. 

Third Place Leicester City were held to a 0-0 draw away at Swansea, whilst draws elsewhere for Sutton Coldfield (Felicity Wooley (52) and Freya Duchars (57)) and Ben Rhydding (Rachel Doherty (23) and Holly Pears (54)) lift them off the foot of the table.

Gloucester City left it to the last minute to grab a 2-1 win over Leeds, Michelle Williams securing the points with a 70th-minute penalty corner. Alice Blades (5) gave the visitors the lead before Laila Howse (30) equalised.

With just two games into the season, Canterbury are the only side with a 100% record in Division One South.

Following their 4-1 victory at home on the opening day against Cambridge City, Canterbury moved two points clear at the top of the table with a 2-0 home win versus Surbiton 2.

Cambridge City's run of poor form continued as they went down 1-4 at home to Harleston Magpies. Lauren Barber (11-PC) and Hannah De Selincourt (16) gave the Magpies a 0-2 lead before Miriam Marti-Palet (24) pulled one back for Cambridge. A four-minute double salvo from Jess Howland (56) and Lucy Whiting (60) put the game out of touch.

With three sides level on four points, Isca and University of Exeter drew 1-1 away from home at Slough, Lucy Day giving the visitors the lead in the second minute before Anna Baker (12) pulled Slough level and earned a share of the spoils. Barnes capitalised on the draw by beating Sevenoaks 2-1 at home to move level on points. Sevenoaks took the lead through Makenzie Bell's 6th-minute penalty corner before Ellen Paterson (26) levelled the scores. An Abby Gooderham penalty corned secured the win for Barnes in the 37th minute.

After going down 1-3 at home to Wimbledon 2, Witney remain one of two teams yet to pick up points. Ruth Hampson opened the scoring in the 3rd minute for Wimbledon. Abi Flory gave Witney hope when she equalised with a 41st-minute penalty corner. Wimbledon, however, were too strong for their host and late goals from Ellie Hearn (49) and Emmie Gilbert (69) secured a 1-4 away win.

Southgate maintained their dominant start to the season with another 5-0 victory, this time over Horsham. Lorna Cruickshank opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Emma McIntyre doubled the lead with a sixth-minute penalty corner. Elisha Filamores (22) completed the first half goals before Cruickshank (60-PC) and McIntyre (65) each bagged their second goals of the game.

Chelmsford, hoping to bounce back from the opening day defeat to Southgate, fell 1-3 to East London. Katherine Round (14), Karen Allan (38) and Jo Coughlan (53) scored the goals for the visitors to pick up their first win after defeat to London Wayfarers on the opening day.

Lauren Hunt, back on the score sheets for Wayfarers, gave her side the perfect start against Hampstead & Westminster 2, with an open play goal in the 12th minute. Ellen Lockhart (56) levelled the scores for Hampstead & Westminster 2 to give them a share of the points.

Ipswich bounced back from defeat to Hampstead and Westminster 2 on the opening weekend to secure a 3-0 win away at Bishop Stortford. Taylor Ball's (16) penalty corner opened the scoring before Sophie Sexton (27) and Hollie Dring-Richardson completed the scoring for the visitors.

Free-scoring Guildford, continuing to show their power in front of goal, move to second in the division with an impressive 4-0 victory away from home over Spencer. Alice Wellard, with a first-minute goal, set the tone of the game, with Kelly Taylor (13-PC), Katya Shokalenko (23-PC) and Kerryn Swanepoel (50) all adding to their tallies.

Beeston 2 bounced back from opening day defeat in emphatic fashion by dominating Belper five goals to one at home. A brace for Farr and Millington gave Beeston 2 the comfortable victory. Hannah Farr (5), Sophie Edgington (26), Lucy Millington (50), Hannah Farr (63) and Lucy Millington (68).

Bedford welcomed Loughborough Students 2; with both sides losing on the opening day they were eager to pick up their first points of the season. An end-to-end game ensued with the score all tied at the end in a 3-3 draw.

Oxford University also drew at home to Olton & West Warwickshire, neither side able to break the deadlock.

Rugby & East Warwickshire followed up their opening day defeat of Loughborough Students 2 with a 2-1 victory at home with Cannock to take them to the summit of Conference Midlands, Nicki Siarbawa (52) and Evie Philips (61) with the goals. 

St Albans also recorded a 2-1 home victory, with goals coming from Katy Hart (13-PC) and, Abigail Farrington (49), Amy Wickham (22-PC) was on the scoresheet for the University of Birmingham 2

Timperley became the only side in Conference North with a 100% record, having welcomed Liverpool Sefton in an entertaining 2-0 victory. Jess Sutton (33) and Charlotte Thompson (56-PC) gave the home side victory. 

After an opening day defeat against Timperley, Pendle Forest bounced back with a commanding 3-0 home win over Durham University 2. Thea Cormack opened the scoring in the second minute from a penalty corner before Charlotte Hartley (29-PC, 39) moved the game out of reach of the visitors.

Didsbury Northern picked up their first win, Nicola Kellett with the game's only goal in the 55th minute.  

Lucy Wood (21) and Emma Waud (26) gave their sides a share of the points as Harrogate and Wakefield fought out a 1-1 draw. 

Flyde and Doncaster also took a share of the points in a 0-0 deadlock.

It was very tight in Conference West as three of the five matches ended in a draw.

Reading had Eliza Chippendale (44-PS) and Sophie Pettegree (54) to thank for rescuing a point that sent them to the top of the table after Cheltenham opened a two-goal lead through Jemma Jones (1) and Emily Hobbs (37).

Second-placed Oxford Hawks came back from 2-1 down to draw 2-2 with Trojans. Goals from Amy Sheehan (28) and Megan Smith (45-PC) for Trojans and corners from Sally Clark (13) and Catherine Reaney (60) for Oxford Hawks.

After an opening day draw, Exe picked up their first win at home to bottom side Basingstoke. Three goals in seven minutes for the home side did the damage leaving Basingstoke still looking for their first points. Goals came from Lorel Gardiner (35-PC), Emma Ross (39) and Eleanor Brooks (42) for Exe, whilst Kirsty Davey (42) was on the scoresheet for the away side.

Team Bath Buccaneers were the only other side to take all three points with a 2-1 victory over rivals Bristol Firebrands. Annie Wilson (52) and Lena Brewer (59) gave the home side the victory after going behind to a goal early on from Bella Siawin (16).

A 1-1 draw between Isca & University of Exeter 2 and Penarth ensures both sides remain unbeaten and moved them up the table. Jen Hughes (31) and Carys Gordon (64) were on the score sheet respectively.