England: EHL Premier Division Preview | Week 16

This weekend sees teams playing twice in the Women’s Play-offs Pool A and Pool B. 

On Saturday in Pool A Surbiton face Reading. Reading of course are champions after beating Surbiton in last year’s final but have lost in both meetings this season and didn’t pick up a win in Phase 2, whilst Surbiton won eight on the spin to finish top at the end of the regular season. The other game in Pool A is Wimbledon against Loughborough Students, who qualified from the Lower Six. Their previous meeting ended 0-0, one of the eight shut outs for Wimbledon’s shot-stopper, Jess Buchanan. Loughborough play at Surbiton on Sunday where they lost 9-1 in Phase 1 whilst Wimbledon host Reading. 

In Pool B, Hampstead & Westminster, who ended the regular season in second place, host Durham University, their third home against the students who they have beaten twice. The University of Birmingham travel to East Grinstead. Birmingham’s four match winning run that saw them top the Lower Six was ended last week whilst EG only won once in Phase 2’s Top Six. On Sunday Birmingham are at Hampstead and Durham travel to East Grinstead.

In the relegation pool, the University of Nottingham have moved out of the bottom two after three wins in Phase 2 and travel to Bowdon. Both previous meetings this season have been drawn. Barnes are bottom and relegated and welcome Clifton Robinsons, who are a place above them and in need of three points in their quest to avoid the drop.

Open/Men’s Premier Division

In the Open/Men’s play-offs there was a boost for all teams as the EuroHockey rankings confirm England retain three places in the EuroHockey League for 2026-27. 

In Pool A, Surbiton welcome Holcombe looking to add to their 16 straight wins. They have won twice at Holcombe this season, including last weekend, Holcombe’s third successive defeat. Cardiff & Met, who secured a play-off place last weekend, go to Hampstead & Westminster before a trip to Surbiton on Sunday. Hampstead host Holcombe looking for their third win against the Kent-based side. 

In Pool B, Wimbledon, who were second in the regular season table, take on Oxted who they have beaten twice scoring 14 goals in those games. Oxted come into the game after losing all five of their Phase 2 games. East Grinstead were unbeaten in the Lower 6 but face a tough challenge at Old Georgians who beat them 9-1 earlier in the season. It’s OGs v Oxted on Sunday and Wimbledon host East Grinstead.

In the relegation pool, bottom of the table Brooklands MU travel to Beeston needing a win to keep any hopes of avoiding the drop alive. Beeston’s recent good run was ended at East Grinstead last week and they will be desperate for the points to try and finish above the drop zone. Reading and Southgate meet at Sonning Lane, a week after Reading won 5-1 at Southgate to go a point ahead of them.