The crescendo of the domestic season. Old Georgians, going for their third title in a row. Surbiton standing in their way. And for the first time in a while, the third place playoff would decide which team would take England’s newly-acquired third European slot. It promised to be an exciting day, and here’s how it panned out.

Old Georgians 3-1 Surbiton.

Old Georgians put the gloss on their incredible season with a third league title in a row after a 3-1 win over hosts, Surbiton.

After winning the domestic indoor title, the domestic outdoor title for the regular season and a bronze medal at the European Hockey League, the Surrey outfit needed just this title to complete a remarkable campaign.

Despite falling behind to an early goal from Struan Walker, OGs came back with a goal in each of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters to silence the home crowd and send the pocket of their own fans into a frenzy.

Lee Morton bagged the equaliser and at 1-1 the game was in the balance. Surbiton had a glorious chance to go back in front from the penalty spot, but Luke Taylor’s effort was kept out by George Pinner. The goalkeeper was happy to let the home fans, who had been giving him a fair bit of stick, know about the save.

Dan Shingles converted a superbly worked penalty corner and then James Carson put the game to bed with a splendid close range finish.

Great Britain forward Alan Forsyth reflected on a difficult, yet satisfying season:

“If you were to turn around and say you won the indoor, qualify for Europe, you won a bronze medal in Europe, then you won the league and then you and you won the play offs, I think we’d have snapped your hands off.

“We want to win everything. If anything, we’re a team that wants to win every match. It’s obviously a hard thing to do. I mean, we’re not going to go through without losing. But the main thing is you want to win everything. You plan to and the experience the boys have got, you know, it means we can do it.”


Wimbledon 2-2 Hampstead and Westminster (Wimbledon win 4-3 on shootout.)

Wimbledon captain Jack Waller hailed goalkeeper Ore Ogunlana after his shootout heroics bagged the Dons a domestic bronze medal and a place in Europe next season.

“Maybe outside the group, I don’t think people realize quite how good he is. And to be honest, when he came in this season, I knew how good he was, but I didn’t realize quite what level he could get to.” Waller beamed in our post match interview.

“He’s only getting better and better. We’re so lucky to have him and I look forward to seeing him playing for us in Europe next year. I’d say it’s not just on the pitch, also off the pitch he brings everyone in and is a lot of fun.”

Ogunlana visibly grew in confidence as the shootout progressed, whipping up the crowd after saving from Tom Crowson and after standing his ground to draw a foul from Sam French’s effort. As the shootout entered sudden death, the Wimbledon goalkeeper swept the ball away from Jolyon Morgan, which allowed Waller to slot in the winner and spark wild scenes as both captain and goalkeeper were mobbed by their teammates.

Hampstead will feel it was an opportunity missed after they raced into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes thanks to Kai Kaeppler and Matt Guise-Brown.

A nicely taken goal by David Condon reduced the arrears in the 27th minute. Wimbledon kept knocking on the door and were left frustrated by some smart goalkeeping from Toby Reynolds-Cotterill in the H&W goal.

With the clock ticking down, Sam Hooper’s penalty corner found a way through and we were headed to the drama of a shootout. Ogunlana’s heroics paved the way for WImbledon to secure their spot in next season’s EHL.

“Last year we had a third place playoff and there wasn’t much riding on it, but it’s nice playing in games that matter and Wimbledon should always be in Europe, in my opinion. It’s nice to be back in and it’s about time we had a good run in that competition.”