0-5 defeat by reigning champions Surbiton

After a week's break from league hockey, Buckingham traveled to Champions Surbiton for their latest fixture. Buckingham fully expected a tough examination but were also looking forward to the challenge of playing the country's top side. It was also a big day for 15 year old Kirsty Freshwater who was given her first team Premier League debut by coach Zak Jones.

Despite competing reasonably well in the opening fifteen minutes, it was the home side's Great Britain star Georgie Twigg who opened the scoring in the sixteenth minute following a defensive turnover. From then on the champions showed why they are the best side in the country. Their slick passing and movement meant that Buckingham saw very little of the ball.

So it was no surprise that they extended their lead in the twenty-fourth minute when GB international Giselle Ainsley fired home a powerful drag flick and then the home side added two more well worked penalty corner goals in the thirtieth and thirty-third minutes to lead 4-0 at the break.

In the second period Surbiton continued to dominate but Buckingham defended far better and showed great character and resilience. With goalkeeper and player of the match Anna Searle in fine form, they managed to restrict their hosts to a solitary Ainsley penalty corner goal in the second period. Although, it was a disappointing loss, in truth Buckingham were outplayed by a quality outfit who showed exactly why they are currently the side to beat.

This week Buckingham are at home to Beeston in what is a huge game for both sides. The match is on Sunday at 12pm at Stowe School and the squad would welcome any support.