English Final four picture emerges as surbiton advance

Surbiton’s women struck late to advance to the finals weekend of the English women’s championship with a game to spare as they eventually saw off Beeston 3-1.

It means they are certain to finish in the top two of phase three of the competition along with East Grinstead.

A high quality first half ended scoreless before the current champions broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Izzy Petter scored with a neat turn around the goalkeeper close to the baseline.

Sophie Robinson, however, levelled with 10 minutes to go when she turned on a loose ball and cracked into the left corner.

With just three minutes left, however, Giselle Ansley whipped a corner into the backboard to make it 2-1. Darcy Bourne then made extra sure of the points when she robbed the last defender and broke into the circle to score.

They will advance beside East Grinstead who were 3-1 winners over University of Birmingham; the meeting of EG and Surbiton next week will determine who tops the group. Clifton Robinsons are close to advancing from Pool B with the meeting of Hampstead & Westminster and Wimbledon vital to determining how the groups pans out.

On the men’s side, Old Georgians and Holcombe are through to the final four. Holcombe swept aside Beeston 6-1 to make it two wins from two while Old Georgians were 4-0 victors away to Hampstead & Westminster.

Wimbledon and Surbiton are through in the other group, leaving the final group fixtures next weekend to decide who will play who.

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