Surbiton Ladies' hopes of winning the Conference East in their maiden England Hockey League season were finally ended on Saturday, Sevenoaks winning 1-0 at Harleston Magpies to snap the Norfolk side’s seven game win streak, and clinch the league title and a place in the promotion play-offs.

In the first league match at St .Albans, Surbiton had had to wait until three minutes before half time to open the scoring on the way to a 3-0 win, in the return, they were ahead after just two minutes, Stephanie Addison scoring her first goal in the EHL at the right post.

As Surbiton had attacked from the start, forcing their first penalty corner within just thirty seconds, it seemed that Addison’s goal would open the floodgates, but the St. Albans defence ensured that Surbiton only led by a single goal at the interval.

Seven minutes into the second half, Jessica Brooker seemed set to double the hosts’ lead, but having taken the ball around the goalkeeper, could only shoot wide of the left post.

Surbiton’s penalty corner routine was ineffective, Amy Garne forcing a save from visiting goalkeeper, Anthea Oatridge, from the only shot made from four penalty corner awards.

With twenty minutes to play, Amy Bryant crossed from the right for Helen Grant to score her eleventh league goal from close range, and give Surbiton a league double over St. Albans.

Chelmsford reclaimed second place on goal difference from Surbiton, following a 5-0 home win over Dereham, now relegated back to the East League after one season in the national league.

In spite of their defeat, St. Albans are safe from relegation, after Cambridge City could only draw 1-1 at Old Loughtonians to confirm their place in the relegation playoffs.

Surbiton can now concentrate on their cup semi-final at Conference North leaders, Sutton Coldfield on Sunday (push back 11.30 a.m.)

The day before, Surbiton finish their league programme at Dereham (all EHL matches on the final day of the season start at 2 p.m.) If Chelmsford win at Harleston Magpies, Surbiton will need to win by at least a three goal margin to finish second, as Chelmsford have scored more goals (45 to 38).

For the time being, Surbiton will be Dereham’s opponents in their first and last EHL matches, having won 5-1 at Reed’s School on the opening day of the season, thanks to goals from Vicky Bryant, Emma Rowland-Jones, Molly Hanson-Akins, and a brace from Jessica Brooker.

SURBITON LADIES: Davies (GK); Heptonstall, Garne, Jenkins, James, Rowland-Jones, Goodwin, Robinson, V Bryant, Addison, A Bryant. Subs: Brooker, Grant, Holmes, Royce, Tranquille-Day (GK - not used).