EHL Premier Division Preview | Week 8

Womens Premier Division

Unbeaten Womens Premier Division leaders Surbiton host local rivals Wimbledon who are on a good run of form, unbeaten in last six games after an opening day 2-1 home defeat. Wimbledon won 2-1 at Surbiton at this stage of the season in 2024 but Surbiton gained revenge in the next stage with a 4-1 away win. Hampstead & Westminster who trail the leaders on goal difference will defend their unbeaten record at Nottingham University who have only won once to date. East Grinstead who are three points further back travel to Bowdon. EG are on a good run of form with four straight wins whilst Bowdon will be looking for points in order to get into the reckoning for a top six finish.    

Bottom of the table Clifton  are the only team without a point to date but came close last weekend with two defeats by just a single goal. They travel to Birmingham University who are currently sixth. Both games between the teams in 2024-25 ended in 1-1 draws. Loughborough Students sit just below Birmingham and are on a four game run without a win. They welcome fifth place Reading who beat them three times last season.

Barnes make the long trip to Durham University in a battle between the two promoted teams and a first meeting since 2008. Barnes will be buoyed by their first points from last Sunday’s win against Nottingham University and include a number of former Durham players in their ranks. After two wins in their first two games, Durham have since lost all five games.

Open/Men's Premier Division

Top plays bottom in the Open/Men's Premier Division as leaders Surbiton travel to Beeston who have yet to pick up a point including two single goal losses last weekend. Surbiton will look to maintain their 100% start and there are sure to be fireworks as Nottingham Hockey Centre are hosting their early bonfire night display on the evening. Second placed Wimbledon travel to Southgate for the first time since the league format changed. Wimbledon are unbeaten and have won five out of six games to date whilst Southgate won for the first time last weekend to move up to 10^th. Brooklands MU welcome fourth placed Old Georgians who ended a three-game run without a win with their 9-1 win at East Grinstead last Sunday whilst the home team lost two games on the road last weekend.

Fifth plays third as Holcombe host Hampstead & Westminster. The teams shared 3-2 wins in last season’s two encounters, both with away wins and Saturday’s game sees Hampstead’s Damon Steffens, the division’s top scorer with ten goals up against Holcombe’s Teague Marcano who has nine.  East Grinstead make the short rip to Oxted for the A22 derby. Sixth placed Oxted are unbeaten since an opening day defeat but this includes four draws and they only lead EG, whose record is more mixed, by two points as the teams battle for a top six finish. The teams just below them, Cardiff & Met and Reading, meet in Wales, both teams are on seven points.