24th April 2017: At the Queen Elisabeth Olympic Park in London last weekend Surbiton’s men earned a comeback win with three goals in 8 minutes to become England’s Men’s Hockey League Champions and Surbiton’s women took fourth straight Investec Women’s League title after defeating Holcombe 3-1.
In addition Canterbury retained Men’s Hockey League status in style with 7-3 win. Buckingham were promoted to Investec Women’s Hockey League after seven-goal thriller against Wimbledon and Holcombe took third place in men’s league and could qualify for Europe, defeating Hampstead & Westminster comfortably.
On a dramatic day at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Surbiton’s men and women were both crowned champions in fine style.
Surbiton’s men’s team came from 3-0 down against Wimbledon, scoring three times in eight incredible minutes before winning 3-2 in a shoot-out. The victory broke Wimbledon’s two-year winning streak and the match was a fantastic advert for the men’s domestic game.
Wimbledon v Surbiton – Men’s Hockey League Final, Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre, London, UK on 23 April 2017. Photo: Simon ParkerSurbiton’s women then secured a fourth straight Investec Women’s League Championship, being pushed hard by a very resilient Holcombe side before coming away with a 3-1 victory.
Earlier in the day, Canterbury’s men’s team retained their Men’s Hockey League status with a big win over already-promoted Sevenoaks. In the Investec Women’s Hockey League play-offs, Buckingham were promoted to the top flight after a thrilling 4-3 win over Wimbledon in a winner-takes-all encounter.
The next major event at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is England women’s one-off international against Holland on 11 June, closely followed by England’s men in the Hockey World League Semi Final from 15 to 25 June.
Results:
MHL Final
Surbiton 3-3 Wimbledon
(Surbiton win 3-2 in a shoot-out)
IWHL Final
Surbiton 3-1 Holcombe
MHL Play-offs
Canterbury 7-2 Sevenoaks
Durham University 3-3 Team Bath Buccaneers
IWHL Play-offs
Buckingham 4-3 Wimbledon
Bowdon Hightown 2-2 Brooklands Poynton
MHL 3/4 Play-off
Holcombe 7-3 Hampstead & Westminster
Full match details:
https://englandhockey.altiusrt.com/
Source material and photographs : England Hockey