It all comes down to this, as they say. The top four women’s teams in the English league will head to the Nottingham Hockey Centre this weekend to fight it out to be crowned champions.
The holders Surbiton will take on East Grinstead in one semi-final whilst Hampstead and Westminster go up against Reading in the other. Here’s a quick look ahead at the weekend’s matches.
The reigning champions left themselves with some work to do, after a defeat to Loughborough Students two weeks ago put them in danger of missing out on finals weekend for the first time since 2012. They needed a win in their final game against Reading, which they managed 3-0.
Surbiton’s progress in the regular season was quite serene – third in the first phase, second in the second phase before the last day drama in the finals day qualification stages.
Darcy Bourne has shown her undoubted class with 13 goals this season for the Seals and has been ably supported by former Loughborough star Ellie Mackenzie, who has 11 goals.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Sophie Hamilton. A skilful player who is a joy to watch and can unlock any defence. Surbiton know how to rise to the big occasion and will back themselves for another trophy for the cabinet.
Opponents East Grinstead have no shortage of attacking prowess up their sleeves either. In Biba Mills they have one of this country’s most exciting rising stars. Mills has 17 goals to her name so far this campaign and has already picked up the Hockey Writers’ Club U16 Player of the Year award, too. She is a threat from corners and open play and looks like a real difference-maker.
Mills is by no means all East Grinstead have. Ellie Rayer and Tess Howard add the touch of international class in the front line, Grace Balsdon gives them that quality in the back line and in Lily Walker they have a outstanding performer who can dictate the game.
The meetings between these two teams so far this season have finished 2-0 to Surbiton and 5-3 to East Grinstead, so it promises to be a cracking match.
Hampstead and Westminster – beaten finalists last season, coasted through all three phases of the season. They finished top in the first two and then won three from three in the final phase to take their place at Finals Weekend once again.
Defence has been a key strength for Hampstead – they have conceded just 18 goals this campaign, giving them a very strong platform to build on. Great Britain goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard is an absolute rock behind the back line and continues to go from strength to strength.
Going forwards, Lucy Hyams has chipped in ten goals for the Paddington Rec outfit whilst the seven goals contributed by Catherine Ledesma have been very handy indeed. They’ll be desperate to go one better than their silver medal last time out.
Standing in their way, are Reading. Wins over Loughborough Students and Clifton ultimately ensured Reading’s defeat by Surbiton in their last game didn’t stop them making it to the finals weekend. They remained in the top three in both phase one and phase two of the season before finishing the job in phase three. Of the final four, only Surbiton (61) have scored more goals than Reading (59). Mia Moore has had a fruitful time of it in the attacking circle with 13 goals, whilst Caroline Spence has nine. They have plenty of quality in their ranks and although their head to head with Hampstead this season is a 2-2 draw and a 5-1 loss, they will still fancy their chances of recapturing the club’s former glories at finals weekend.
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