England Hockey Premier Division: UoB and Old Georgians rack up goals

University of Birmingham produced a stunning rout of Premier Division returnees Sutton Coldfield to kick start the 2024/25 season in style.

Hannah Pearce scored a hat-trick as UoB sizzled in an 8-0 win, with six different scorers on the Women’s Premier Division’s opening Saturday.

It was the stand out score on opening weekend as champions Surbiton won 2-0 away at Clifton Robinsons.

There was a debut goal from Jordan Homann, having moved from Nottingham Uni over the summer, and Surbiton product Isabelle Yonge as the Londoners secured the points in the second half.

Meanwhile, East Grinstead beat Hampstead & Westminster 1-0 courtesy of Summer Knight Thompson’s 58th-minute goal.

Promoted Holcombe scored a fine win against Wimbledon, 2-1 at home, with Emma Bandurak netting a last-minute PC.

Elsewhere, UoN beat Bowdon 1-0 and Reading won 2-1 at Loughborough Students.

Old Georgians start in style

Tom Carson and Sam Ward started where they left off last season as OGs overcame Bowdon 6-1 in the Men’s Premier Division.

Both netted twice in a spectacular second-half performance.

Carson had opened the scoring before Steven Halfhead levelled. Debutant David Condon scored a minute later, in the 33rd minute, along four further OGs goals.

Holcombe made it a double header win thanks to a 5-3 win over Wimbledon, with the hosts seeing five different scorers.

H&W came from behind to win 3-1 at East Grinstead, Tom Crowson securing the win with a 66th minute strike.

Surbiton also came from 1-0 down to beat Oxted 4-2, while Cardiff & Met continued their penchant for picking up away points after a 3-1 win at Southgate.

Beeston were winning 3-0 against newbies Richmond before the match was abandoned due to lightning.