Surbiton Ladies put aside the disappointment of dropping two points against fifth-placed Horsham in the EHL Conference East on Saturday, to knock Reading, sixth in the Premier Division, and losing finalists for the last two seasons, out of the Women’s Cup at the quarter-final stage on Sunday.

Two of Surbiton’s goals were scored by former Reading players, sisters Amy and Vicky Bryant.

Surbiton’s victory gave them an away semi-final draw against fellow giant-killers, Sutton Coldfield, current leaders of the Conference North, who won 4-2 at Premier Division team, Clifton.

Reading had beaten Brooklands Poynton 4-0 in the league on Saturday, but arrived at Sugden Road with a depleted squad, Jo Ellis the only representative of their international players.

Surbiton took the lead in the sixteenth minute from their third penalty corner. After the injection, the ball was manoeuvred around the circle, Helen Grant scoring from the left of the circle.

Three minutes later, Grant was involved again, her shot forced over the line by Amy Bryant, to leave the Premier Division side trailing 2-0.

Reading thought that they were back in the match in the 29th minute when Chloe Lyons scored, but the goal was disallowed after the two umpires conferred.

Surbiton led 2-0 at half time, but seven minutes into the second half, found themselves back level as the visitors struck twice in two minutes. In the 40th minute, a breakaway attack was finished off by Hayley Munt; and two minutes later, the Berkshire side celebrated as Abi Harper equalised with a penalty corner conversion.

Surbiton’s winning goal also came from a penalty corner conversion, Vicky Bryant deflecting the ball past Reading goalkeeper, Sarah Ellis with fifteen minutes remaining.

Surbiton’s goalkeeper Jeanne Heunis, who had also played in last season’s quarter-final defeat at Leicester, made two vital saves from two late penalty corners, as Reading tried to force extra time.

Their efforts were in vain, Surbiton reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Cup for the first time in their history, even though Vicky Bryant was sent to the sin-bin for the last few seconds of the tie.

SURBITON LADIES v Reading: Heunis (GK); Heptonstall (Capt.), Jenkins, Garne, Goodwin, V Bryant, Robinson, Tait, Ford, Brooker, Addison. Subs: Grant, A Bryant, Morgan, Holmes, Royce On Saturday, Surbiton had been frustrated as they were held to a goalless draw by Horsham, in a game where they had numerous chances but couldn’t convert. Jessica Brooker missed narrowly from penalty corners, but the closest Surbiton came was when Victoria Heptonstall failed to touch the ball in at the left post.

Surbiton also failed to take advantage of a powerplay opportunity when Horsham’s Gill Adams was sent to the sin-bin. The roles seemed to have been reversed with just over five minutes to play, as Surbiton’s Kelly Morgan entered the sin-bin, but a minute later, Horsham’s Ellen Seaniger was also shown a yellow card to ensure that both teams were down to ten players.

Horsham had a late chance to snatch a victory when they were awarded a last minute penalty corner, but goalkeeper, Asha Tranquille-Day, came to Surbiton’s rescue with a vital save to ensure that the points were shared.

Sevenoaks were unexpectedly held 1-1 at Chelmsford, a result which enabled last season’s champions, Ipswich, to take over at the top after a 5-1 win at bottom side, Dereham. Ipswich lead with 29 points, Sevenoaks are a point behind, with Surbiton now four points adrift of the leaders in third place.

On Sunday (27 February), Surbiton visit Old Loughtonians. In the first match, Helen Grant scored the only goal to give Surbiton a 1-0 win.

SURBITON LADIES v Horsham: Tranquille-Day (GK); Heptonstall (Capt.), Jenkins, Garne, Goodwin, Robinson, Grant, Tait, Ford, Brooker, A Bryant Subs: Addison, Heunis (not used), Holmes, Morgan.