On their debut, Surbiton’s U15s girls' team finished fourth in the England Hockey Cup round-robin finals at the University of Birmingham last weekend, writes Colin Pike.

Surbiton drew one and lost two of their three matches, but gained valuable experience of playing in a national finals environment.

Surbiton had the best possible start in their opening match versus Teddington on Saturday with Emma Broad converting their first penalty corner in the third minute.

Far from discouraged, Teddington responded by pressurising the Surbiton defence, forcing goalkeeper Lauren Smith to make a glove save from a rising shot; also hitting a post before their pressure eventually paid off seconds before half time, when Alice Duns equalised from open play.

In the second half, Teddington could have snatched the win, but further Smith saves and off target shooting ensured the score remained 1-1.

On Sunday morning, Surbiton faced cup holders Wakefield, but from the push back, took the game to the Yorkshire side, once again establishing an early lead. Caitlin Keep forced the ball home from short range in the fourth minute. Wakefield’s strength was their ability to force penalty corners.

Surbiton conceded twelve penalty corners, Wakefield only having to wait until the sixth minute before the first award was made.

Alice Graye converted, deflecting Mollie Rawnsley’s shot past Smith for the equaliser. In the second half, Wakefield took the lead for the first time, when Katie Bingle was on hand to convert their ninth penalty corner in the 30th minute.

Surbiton showed their character in the 41st minute, with Broad in perfect position on the blind side of the Wakefield defence to smash the ball past Emily Holmes and level the score at 2-2.

However, Wakefield had plenty of experience to call on and within a minute, capitalised on a lack of concentration in the Surbiton defence to force an eleventh penalty corner.

Bingle’s resulting strike ended up in the top left hand corner, for her fourth goal of the tournament, giving Wakefield a 3-2 win, leaving Surbiton with nothing to show for their commitment.

On Sunday afternoon, Surbiton faced fellow debutantes, Lytham St Annes, who had previously lost 3-1 to Wakefield, and 3-0 to Teddington.

Lytham showed that they weren’t downhearted, striking twice in the first sixteen minutes. Holly Monteiro scored the opening goal in the fifth minute, and Sophia Crawshay was on target in the 16th minute, both goals coming from open play.

In spite of seven penalty corner awards; and Broad, Ellie Tait, and Lucy Clacher having several chances to score; Lytham’s two goalkeepers; Charlotte Smith, in the first half; and Eleni Cullen, after half time, ensured that the Lytham defence kept a clean sheet.

Tait did get the ball in the goal from the seventh penalty corner, but the goal was disallowed, Lytham winning 2-0 to finish third overall.

Wakefield drew 0-0 with Teddington in the last game to clinch the title.