Surbiton Ladies gained some consolation for finishing runners-up in the England Hockey League Conference East, winning 3-2 at Conference North champions Sutton Coldfield on Sunday to reach the Women’s Cup final for the first time in their history.

Both sides had beaten Premier Division opposition on their way to the semi-final: Sutton Coldfield had knocked out Cannock, Brooklands Poynton and Clifton; Surbiton had shocked Reading in the quarter-finals. Sutton had scored 85 goals in their eighteen league matches, and six goals in each of their previous two home league games, but the hosts were stunned by a second minute penalty corner conversion, a drag-flick from Emma Rowland-Jones beating goalkeeper Becky Batsford.

Sutton trailed for just six minutes, Jane Sixsmith equalising from close range, but Helen Grant restored Surbiton’s lead two minutes before half time.

Sutton equalised for a second time, seven minutes into the second half, prolific goalscorer Vicky Woolford, with 29 league goals to her credit this season, levelling the score following a penetrating run at the Surbiton defence.

Grant had struck the post in the first half, and after half time, Surbiton’s captain, Vicky Heptonstall had forced an excellent stick save from Batsford.

With thirteen minutes remaining, Surbiton’s endeavour was rewarded, Rowland-Jones their heroine, her angled shot from the right of the circle once again evading Batsford, to send Surbiton’s supporters into ecstasy.

Sutton couldn’t find a third equaliser, so Surbiton qualified for a meeting with Bowdon Hightown, fourth-placed finishers in the EHL Premier Division at Cannock on 14 May. Bowdon beat fellow Premier side University of Birmingham, 2-0.

SURBITON LADIES v Sutton Coldfield: Tranquille-Day (GK); Heptonstall, Garne, Jenkins, James, Goodwin, Rowland-Jones, Robinson, Grant, V Bryant, A Bryant Subs: Holmes, Morgan, Ford, Royce, Addison

On Saturday, Surbiton had finished their maiden England Hockey League season just as they had started it, with a 5-1 win over Dereham.

The Norfolk side’s relegation back to the East League after just one season had been confirmed the previous week, but they initially made Surbiton battle.

Surbiton’s patience paid off in the 20th minute, Kate Holmes scoring her first-ever England Hockey League goal.

The deadlock broken, Surbiton’s lead was doubled two minutes later, Vicky Bryant’s cross turned in by a home defender, but as own goals are not allowed in hockey, Bryant was credited with the goal.

Her sister, Amy also scored a minute before half time, Rowland-Jones attacking the Dereham defence to set up the goal which gave Surbiton a 3-0 half time lead.

Rowland-Jones was at the forefront of the visitors’ fourth goal five minutes into the second half, Vicky Bryant scoring her second goal of the game.

Once again, Dereham conceded a goal within two minutes, Amy Bryant running at the defence and shooting past Jess Purser in the home goal.

Surbiton dominated possession, but couldn’t add any further goals in the last 28 minutes Dereham scoring their last EHL goal for the time being, courtesy of Kath Malvern’s penalty stroke, clinically slotted past Surbiton’s goalkeeper, Dulcie Davies in the 51st minute.

Champions Sevenoaks won 4-0 at Cambridge City to finish four points clear of Surbiton. Chelmsford drew 2-2 at Harleston Magpies, but that was enough to enable them to finish third above Ipswich, 3-0 winners over Old Loughtonians, on goal difference. Harleston’s revival in the second half of the season lifted them up to fifth place.

Cambridge City will need to finish above both Exe and Aldridge & Walsall in the relegation playoffs to keep their place in the EHL; but if they are relegated with Dereham to the East League, they are likely to be replaced by this season’s East League champions Maidstone; and Midlands League champions, Northampton Saints, who have made an immediate return to the EHL after being relegated from the Conference East in 2009-10.

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