Surbiton Ladies had mixed fortunes at the weekend, becoming one of two non-England Hockey League teams to reach the last 16 of the Women’s Cup; but dropping their first points in the South Clubs’ Women’s Hockey League.

On Sunday, Surbiton crushed West Herts, of the East League Premier Division (the same level as SCWHL Division 1), 8-0 in the EH Cup second round at Sugden Road. Georgie Parker scored the first two goals, before Helen Grant finished a perfectly timed pass from Helen Philp to score Surbiton’s third.

Emma Jones converted a penalty corner either side of half time, before Grant scored her second, and the hosts’ sixth goal. Further goals from Hannah Oakes and Kelly Taylor ensured Surbiton joined Dereham, who won 7-3 at West Herts in a league match the day before, in the third round draw.

Surbiton were paired with Buckingham, of the EHL Conference West; the tie to be played at Sugden Road on 15 November.

On Saturday, Hampstead and Westminster had achieved their fourth draw in five league matches, holding Surbiton to a 2-2 draw at Sugden Road. Georgie Parker twice put Surbiton ahead, only for Sarah Innes and Rachel Crisp to equalise for the visitors.

Although they dropped their first league points of the season, Surbiton kept their three point lead intact; as Southampton, who are their next opponents on 7 November, won 1-0 at Havant to replace Oxford Hawks in second place, following Hawks’ 3-2 home defeat against Reading.

Meanwhile, Surbiton Men’s 1st XI retained their first place in the elite EHL National Premier Division still with a one-point lead over Reading, who have however played a game less, after both sides won away from home on Saturday.

Surbiton’s co-captain Tim Pinnock scored four goals for a second week in succession, this time all from penalty corners (out of five attempts). They also had a penalty stroke saved during a dominant first half performance.

Hosts Loughborough Students pulled back to 1-3 and finally 2-4 in the second half to extend Surbiton’s goal difference to three less than Reading, who had a notable 6-2 victory at Cannock earlier in the day.

So the Long Ditton-based club, with this coming weekend off, will be dispossessed as leaders if Reading at least draw when they play their game in hand, away to Beeston on Saturday.