Big win for Buckingham; Surbiton move clear

Surbiton opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Vitality Women's Premier Division this weekend, while at the other end Buckingham secured a hugely important first three points of the season.

Image by Graeme Wilcockson

Hampstead & Westminster 0-2 Surbiton
In the game of the day, it was the visitors who got off to a flyer as skipper Steph Elliott opened the scoring with a field goal just three minutes in. Sisters Sophie and Liv Hamilton were coming up against each other, and it was Surbiton's Sophie who made it 2-0 from open play on 24 minutes in what proved to be the final goal of the game. With other results, Surbiton stretched their advantage at the top to five points.

Buckingham 2-0 University of Birmingham
In another crucial game but this time at the lower end of the table, another flying start proved decisive as Lyndsey White was the matchwinner for Buckingham. She scored in the first minute to put her side on their way, and doubled the advantage on 20 minutes with a second field goal to give the hosts their first points of the season.

Beeston 0-0 Wimbledon
Unusually for the Premier Division, Beeston and Wimbledon played out a goalless draw; keeping Beeston third and Wimbledon one point and one place above them.

Clifton Robinsons 1-2 University of Nottingham
Miranda Jackson opened the scoring on 33 minutes with a field goal to set University of Nottingham on their way to what proved to be a hard-fought victory. The home side equalised just six minutes later with an Emily Drysdale corner, only for Maddie Axford to take all three points thanks to a field goal with 46 played. The result sees Nottm in eight place, now three points behind today's opponents.

Holcombe 1-2 Loughborough Students
With both teams coming into this game level on points, it was Loughborough who took an important victory. Lorna Mackenzie scored a penalty corner with nine minutes gone, and Amy Cradden also converted with 40 on the clock. Tania Escaich got a corner for Holcombe right at the death but it proved too little too late.

Reading 1-2 East Grinstead
On Sunday, the final fixture of the weekend saw East Grinstead come away from Sonning Lane with all three points. The visitors moved into a 2-0 lead, and Shona McCallin then gave Reading some hope from a penalty corner but they were unable to find a second.

For more information from the women's competition, see the Vitality Women's Hockey League pages.