Surbiton sealed their eighth successive English Vitality Women’s Premier Division title with a game to spare following a 1-0 win at East Grinstead on a super Saturday for the Londoners.
Their crown was technically wrapped up before they had even hit a ball, as nearest challengers Hampstead & Westminster – the only team who could still reel in the leaders – went down 2-0 at home to Beeston earlier in the day.
But Surbiton were determined to complete the job in style on the pitch and, fittingly, Darcy Bourne was the player who scored the all-important goal.
Bourne, who scored three consecutive hat-tricks earlier this year and received her first senior England cap in March, found the net on eight minutes and a resolute defensive display ensured Surbiton held on for the 14th win of their latest triumphant season.
Hampstead & Westminster had ended Surbiton’s hopes of an unbeaten campaign last week but were brought back down to earth by Beeston’s latest impressive display.
The Nottinghamshire side, who downed Wimbledon last time out, toppled another European hopeful as second-half goals from Cerys Miller and Hannah Grieve saw them leave the capital with all three points.