In Open/Men’s Pool A the Surbiton – Hampstead & Westminster result would determine who would top the group and the outcome was quickly clear with Surbiton running out 10-0 winners, Nick Bandurak scored his second successive hat-trick. Pool B placings were dependent on the Wimbledon vs Old Georgians game as the teams both had six points going into it. Their previous two meetings had ended 1-1 but on Saturday the visitors came out on top winning 4-1 to end the home team’s six game unbeaten run.
This sets up the semi-finals as Surbiton v Wimbledon and Old Georgians v Hampstead. With England guaranteed three Euro Hockey League places including two at the new look Final 12 stage at Easter there is plenty to play for in all matches at the finals coming up at Surbiton this weekend.
The other pool games saw pride at stake. In Pool A, Holcombe beat Cardiff & Met in a shootout (4-2) after a 2-2 draw in normal time, the first time Cardiff have avoided defeat against the Kent side since their promotion in 2022-23. Holcombe ended the season without a win in their final six games. East Grinstead won 2-1 at Oxted in Pool B, their second win at Caterham School this season and it meant they scored in every game this season. After a good start to the season, Oxted ended with one win and eleven losses in their last twelve games.
In the relegation pool, Beeston won 4-1 at Southgate to move them out of the bottom two for the first time this season. They are replaced by the North London team who trail them on goal difference. Reading retained Premier Division status with a 4-3 win at relegated Brooklands MU. Carlon Mentoor hit a hat-trick for the home team, the fine margins of success/failure highlighted by them having drawn three and lost four of their games in Phase 2 & 3 with just one of those defeats by more than a goal. This weekend Beeston travel to Reading and Southgate play Brooklands. Beeston have a +13 goal difference on Southgate so a win at Reading would be enough to stay up barring a freak result. Southgate will be hoping for the Bees to slip up but they have yet to beat Brooklands this season with a loss and a draw in their last two meetings.
Women’s Premier Division
The Durham University – Birmingham University match in Womens Pool B was a mini final, the winners would qualify for Finals weekend, and for the losers the season over. Lily Sokhi gave Birmingham an early lead which they held on to until nine minutes left when Ava Findlay equalised. The game ended 1-1 and went to a shootout which Durham won 3-2 to earn a place at the finals as runners up where they will play the Pool A winners.
The Pool A match between Surbiton and Wimbledon would decide who tops the pool and it was the home team who ran out victorious. A 4-0 win means they have yet to concede a goal against Wimbledon to date this season, their other games ending 0-0 and 1-0. Wimbledon had the best defence before match, but dropped to second with 19 goals, Surbiton have conceded 16 goals in their 19 matches. Wimbledon will play Hampstead & Westminster in the other semi, Hampstead won Pool B with three wins, their latest a 3-1 defeat of East Grinstead, who they have now beaten three times this season. The Reading v Loughborough Students game in Pool A was a dead rubber and ended 3-0 to the visitors. Loughborough’s third goal was scored by Mia Moore, Reading’s top scorer in 2024-25. Reading failed to win a game in 2026 in defending the title.
With Nottingham University defeating Barnes 2-1, a 1-1 draw against Bowdon means Clifton Robinsons are unable to catch the students and are relegated alongside Barnes. The point also confirmed Bowdon’s Premier Division safety and means their 2s, who won Conference North, can take up a place in Division 1 next season. Unbeaten in five games Nottingham have hit form at the right time to stay up.
