Surbiton restart English league with 12th successive win

Surbiton’s men sent a signal of intent to their English Premier Division rivals with a dominant 5-0 win over Wimbledon in the opening Phase 2 fixture of 2026.

Following a long winter break away from Premier Division action, they have only been back in training together for a week with a number of the players away on international duty at the World Cup qualifiers in Egypt.

But it didn’t take long for them to continue in the same vein as before Christmas. Nick Bandurak opened his account for 2026 in the 19th minute with a deft mid-circle deflection following a ball in from Barry Middleton, to maintain his impressive goal-a-game record.

A second Seals goal followed just before half time, with Stu Rushmere’s corner delivery turned home on the right post by Jake Payton to take a 2-0 lead into half time.

Payton scored again midway through the third quarter, sneaking the ball home at the near post after a skilful baseline carry down the right. Six minutes later, Tommy Austin scored perhaps the pick of the afternoon’s goals, showcasing some slick skills on the way to the top of the circle where he dispatched a backhand into the bottom corner.

Player of the Match Payton completed his hat trick in the 60th minute, cleverly finding space to flick home from open play and put the game well beyond doubt, while Surbiton goalkeeper Calum Douglas thrilled the crowd with a fantastic save low to his stick side.

The victory was their 12th in succession and retained their eight point lead at the top of the table with a big double header weekend coming up, travelling to Hampstead & Westminster on Saturday followed by a home game against Oxted on Sunday.

More points on the board would put the Seals in a great position both to top the table and qualify for next season’s EHL as well maintain critical momentum going into the business end of the season.

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