[img_assist|nid=6127|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=76]LONDON, September 22 – INVESTEC Women’s Hockey League Premier Division newcomers Surbiton will be out to prove last week’s defeat of Reading was no fluke when they travel to Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.
After winning the Conference East last term and losing just one league match all season, Surbiton are now top of the early Premier Division table after overcoming Reading 4-0.
Their new signings gelled superbly with their existing strong team to help beat Reading, and captain Chloe Strong is hoping they continue this form.
“Beating Reading was really good, even if slightly unexpected,” she said. “That was the first time that group of players had been together. It would be great to get another win this weekend, but take nothing away from Sutton Coldfield – they will be just as tough as Reading.”
Elsewhere, Reading go to the University of Birmingham in search of their first win and first goals, and will be aiming to replicate the 3-0 win they secured in the same fixture last term.
Reigning champions Leicester play host to Bowdon Hightown on Saturday, and will be aiming to improve on the 2-1 win they secured at Olton and West Warwickshire last weekend.
Having added GB’s Nicola White to a squad already littered with internationals, Leicester have high hopes of defending their title. Meanwhile, Bowdon will want to get their first win after conceding an own goal in last weekend’s disappointing 2-1 home loss to Canterbury.
And Canterbury will hope to continue their winning start when they play at Polo Farm against Slough, who narrowly avoided relegation last term.
Clifton will host Olton and West Warwickshire in the day’s final Premier Division clash.
In the Investec Women’s Conference East, the teams who finished second and third last season, Sevenoaks and St Albans, face each other this Saturday. Both secured victories in their opening matches last weekend.
And Horsham and Old Loughtonians – who both narrowly avoided the drop last term, are also both unbeaten this season and face each other on Saturday.
After missing out on promotion to the Premier Division last season, the 2011-12 Investec Women’s Conference North winners Beeston travel to Chase Park to play Cannock, who were relegated from the top flight last season.
Unbeaten in the league all last season, reigning Investec Women’s Conference West champions Buckingham play Isca this Saturday. First and third respectively at the end of last season, the two sides are in the same position after last weekend’s opening fixtures and a close match looks on the cards again.
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, September 22 2012)
Premier Division
Canterbury v Slough 11:45
Clifton v Olton & West Warwickshire 13:00
Leicester v Bowdon Hightown 12:30
Reading v University of Birmingham 13:30
Sutton Coldfield v Surbiton 14:00
Conference East
Chelmsford v Bromley and Beckenham 14:00
Harleston Magpies v Wimbledon 12:30
Ipswich v Oxford Hawks 14:00
Old Loughtonians v Horsham 13:00
Sevenoaks v St Albans 17:00
Conference North
Ben Rhydding v Doncaster 13:30
Cannock v Beeston 13:30
Liverpool Sefton v Brooklands Poynton 12:30
Loughborough Students v University of Durham 12:30
Wakefield Bradford v Whitley Bay and Tynemouth 13:30
Conference West
Barnes Hounslow Ealing v Staines 12:00
Buckingham v Isca 12:00
Gloucester City v Taunton Vale 12:00
Swansea City v Stourport 12:00
Trojans v Bristol Firebrands 12:00
