Holcombe Women draw 2-2 with England Hockey Division 1 South leaders Surbiton 2s on Sunday with goals from Lottie Bingham and Phoebe Steele – Nick Bandurak’s side drew 1-1 with Slough on Saturday

It was the late, late show for Holcombe Women on Sunday afternoon as they came back from two goals down to salvage a draw against league leaders Surbiton 2s.

by Lucas Ball

A first-half brace from Surbiton’s Hannah Denison on Sunday had put the away side into a commanding lead but goals from Lottie Bingham and Phoebe Steele levelled the match and ensured that Holcombe ended their opponent’s 100% record.

Both teams had chances in the first quarter after a quiet first 10 minutes, Tilly Tillings teeing up Hannah Carney who forced Jemma Woods into a save with a hit, before Deanna Ritchie also deflecting an effort on target and seeing Woods deny her a second goal in as many matches and days. Ricthie had scored against Slough.

Tilly Woodhead was soon in action at the other end, making a comfortable save before Surbiton took the lead with around a minute left to play in the opening quarter. Denison doubled her tally from close range – loose marking giving her the chance to deflect home easily on the back post.

Ritchie forced Woods into another save minutes later as Holcombe looked to halve the deficit before Emma Bandurak saw another penalty corner effort denied.

The deficit was almost reduced less than five minutes into the third quarter when Bandurak came close from consecutive penalty corners but Woodhead was soon back in action to deny the visitors a third.

It wasn’t until the last 30 seconds of the period that Holcombe scored, Bingham deflecting in from Bandurak’s slap at another penalty corner, giving Holcombe and the vociferous terrace crowd renewed hope heading into the final 17-and-a-half minutes.

Woodhead was taken off with just over three minutes to play as head coach Nick Bandurak bravely switched to 11 outfield