HOCKEY.

It was a long but successful weekend of travelling for Surbiton Hockey Club's Lee Pettifer who manages both their first and second XIs.

On Saturday he was on the bench in Chigwell as his young second XI wrapped up the Pizza Express London Premier League championship for a fourth successive year with two games still to play

They beat Old Loughtonians 2-1 thanks to outstanding performances from two 15-year-old Kingston Grammar School youngsters, goalkeeper David Taylor and defender James Webber, and veteran David Justesen.

Injector Justesen gave Surbiton the lead from a penalty corner early in the second half, only for Old Louts to equalise from an open-play goal. But former Surbiton colt Robert Tong hit the winner, following up his own short corner, three minutes from time.

Pettifer then turned minibus driver - supplied courtesy of travel sponsors New Victoria Hospital, Kingston - for the long journey with the first XI to Exeter to play Isca in the first division of the National Hockey League on Sunday.

He was rewarded by seeing his side keep alive their slim chances of promotion to the premier division with a vital 2-1 win. Simon Tinkler gave Surbiton the lead from open-play in the 16th minute.

Keeper Grant McMinn then saved an Isca penalty stroke, but the home side equalised through open play in the 23rd minute.

Man of the match Bob Daubeney scored the winner for Surbiton 10 minutes into the second half, overloading from the back to crash home a David Main pass.

In the feeder ESL South Premier League Daubeney's former club, Richmond, beat Bournemouth 2-1 at home, but Wimbledon went down 2-3 at Anchorians.

They will be joined in this league next season by Old Cranleighans who wrapped up the ESL Surrey/Hants Premier title with an overwhelming 15-2 victory at relegation-haunted Cheam.

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