- England Hockey Leagues
Men's League Preview: Surbiton Must Win To Keep Euro Bid Alive
With Old Georgians having secured the Premier Division title, European qualification is still up for grabs in the men's top flight, and the relegation battle will go down to the wire.
Rod Gilmour from The Hockey Paper gives a run down of what's up at stake at the tail end of the campaign.
And with thanks to Galvanised Hockey we've also got the best video highlights from last weekend's Premier Division fixtures below.
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To see full fixtures, results and tables from across the country, click here.
Some statistics in the below previews were compiled using the help of Colin Pike/Hockey World News' media guide.
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With Old Georgians securing their first major domestic title last weekend, all eyes will be on Surbiton’s home duel with Wimbledon on Saturday evening when the two battle it out to secure the second European club competition spot for next season.
Wimbledon hold a five-point lead over their London rivals heading into the penultimate weekend of the Men’s Premier Division. A draw on Saturday will be good enough for Karl Stagno’s side to seal a return to Europe, which could be in the form of a Euro Hockey League place depending on England's club ranking points.
Three of the last five matches between the two sides at Surbiton have been drawn, while Wimbledon have picked up two wins in the last five years at Sugden Road. The two sides played out a breathtaking 5-5 at Wimbledon last month, while the corresponding fixture at Sugden Road in November finished 2-2.
“This is certainly a big game for the club, it always is when we play Surbiton but it doesn’t feel any different with Europe on the line,” said Wimbledon’s Ed Horler.
“We've had to adapt to playing without our full squad available, due to injury and international duty but the depth of the squad has shown, particularly in the last few weeks. There have been some huge results with eight players unavailable, there is a great mindset as well as being well prepared tactically by our coaches.
“With a number of players returning to play this weekend, we are in a very good place to put out a strong performance, while hopefully showcasing an exciting game for the spectators and our sport as we approach the critical time of the season.”
Surbiton’s Dave Goodfield is fully aware that anything other than victory could scupper their hopes for European club competition next season.
"There's no beating around the bush, we have to win the game if we want to finish second,” he said.
"Both games we've played against them so far have been very different. We got lucky in the first game and should have won the second and Saturday will be 50-50.”
Surbiton were standing fourth in the table at the Christmas break, but a change in form has seen them win four of their last eight as they also prepare for next week's Euro Hockey League.
Goodfield added: "Treating every game as a Cup final will hopefully hold us in good stead heading into the EHL next week as the last eight games have been a real challenge for us."
After a promising start to the season, Hampstead & Westminster’s faltering form has seen the Londoners lose four of their last five fixtures as their Euro hopes faded.
They play East Grinstead at home on Saturday after beating their West Sussex visitors 4-1 and 4-2 already this season.
Champions Old Georgians are again on the road after beating East Grinstead away to clinch the title last weekend.
They head to Holcombe having racked up 10 goals in their last two games against the Kent side, following 8-2 and 2-1 victories home and away this season. The champions could still play a part in European matters if the season goes down to the wire, as they face Wimbledon on the final weekend on 23 April.
Sat 9 Apr
5:30pm Surbiton v Wimbledon
5:45pm Hampstead & Westminster v East GrinsteadSun 10 Apr
1:15pm Holcombe v Old Georgians
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In the Bottom 5, University of Exeter's future in the Men's Premier Division boils down to their final two matches of the season.
Exeter have a game in hand on fellow student strugglers Durham University, who have a rest weekend.
Exeter are two points behind Durham and face Beeston, who have lost their last three, at home on Sunday. However, Beeston have had the better of Exeter in their two matches this season (3-2 and 3-1).
Both Exeter and Durham are in action on the final day after Easter. Whatever happens this weekend, relegation matters will be decided then, with one club going down.
Meanwhile, Oxted, who head the Phase 2 Bottom 5 standings after four wins in their last six matches, face Brooklands Manchester University on Saturday afternoon.
Sat 9 Apr
2pm Oxted v Brooklands MUSun 10 Apr
2pm University of Exeter v Beeston