EHL Premier Division Finals 2026 Recap

EHL Premier Division Finals Weekend 2026 recap presented by Ranmore Fund Management, hosted by Surbiton HC

Saturday 2 May - Semi-Finals

Women’s Semi-Final - Hampstead & Westminster 0-2 Wimbledon

After an evenly matched first half which saw Hampstead & Westminster’s goalkeeper, Drew Victoria, and Wimbledon’s shot stopper, Jess Buchanan, making important saves to keep the score goalless, Becky Manton dominated the second half. Manton scored in the third and fourth quarter to lead Wimbledon to their first Premier Division final.

Women’s Semi-Final - Surbiton 3-0 Durham University

Surbiton quickly found the back of Durham’s goal in the first quarter through the host’s captain, Eloise Stenner. Durham University came back fighting, helped on by their travelling support to celebrate their first ever Finals appearance in their first season in the Premier Division. However, despite Durham’s efforts, Darcy Bourne and Amy Costello added their name on the score sheet to help Surbiton reach their 12^th consecutive Premier Division Final appearance.

Open/Men’s Semi-Final - Surbiton 2-4 Wimbledon

A dramatic opening seconds saw Wimbledon concede a penalty stroke that the Open/Men’s Premier Division top scorer, Nick Bandurak, smashed past Reynolds-Cotterill to open the scoring. The host’s lead didn’t last long after Euan Gilmour’s equaliser eight minutes later. Three more unanswered goals from Wimbledon’s captain Sam Hooper (two) and Duncan Scott gave the visitors a surprising lead going into the fourth quarter. Surbiton put Wimbledon’s defence under pressure in the final 15 minutes, however, Bandurak’s 57^th minute goal came too late to spark a comeback and Wimbledon move onto the EHL Premier Division Finals while ending Surbiton’s 100%-win record in the process.

Open/Men’s Semi-Final – Old Georgians 3-1 Hampstead & Westminster

Another fast start in this semi-final saw Old Georgians’ Sam Ward open the scoring within three minutes. Two more goals came before half-time by Carson brothers, Tom and James. OGS set out to control the second half and sustain their lead, yet Hampstead’s Sam French scored a last second consolation. Old Georgians return to the EHL Premier Division Finals match for the fifth consecutive time, hoping to lift the Premier Division trophy again after falling short to Surbiton in last season’s final.

Sunday 3 May - 3rd v 4th & Finals

Women’s 3^rd v 4^th – Hampstead & Westminster 1-0 Durham University

A goalless and evenly matched first half carried through into the third quarter with the prospect of a shootout looming, before Lucy Hyams broke the deadlock in the 52^nd to lead Hampstead & Westminster to victory and a third-place finish. Despite the defeat, Durham University have experienced an excellent campaign in their first top flight season and finish fourth overall.

Open/Men’s 3^rd v 4^th – Surbiton 2-2 (3-1) Hampstead & Westminster 

An exciting first half saw three goals in the first 30 minutes. Tim Nurse opened the scoring before Hampstead’s Hywel Jones levelled the score. Max Anderson’s deflected shot restored Surbiton’s lead before the half time buzzer. The host’s lead didn’t last long after a third-quarter Sam French equaliser which sent the match to a shootout. Goals from Will Calnan, Conor Williamson and David Goodfield, alongside Calum Douglas’ important saves, clinched a third-place finish for Surbiton winning 3-1 in the shootout.

Due to finishing top of the Premier Division table after Phase 2 of the season, Surbiton have qualified for the EuroHockey League KO12 which takes place in March 2027.

Women’s Final – Surbiton 4-2 Wimbledon

The Women’s EHL Premier Division Final started electrically with both teams exchanging goals in the opening 20 minutes. Paige Gillot opened the scoring for Wimbledon but was quickly cancelled out from Surbiton’s Ellie Mackenzie with a wonderful strike. In the second-half, Surbiton showed why they finished the regular season in top spot with three goals from England internationals, Martha Taylor, Sophie Hamilton and Darcy Bourne. A late penalty stroke awarded to Wimbledon was finished by Beth Bingham, but Surbiton held on to lift their tenth Premier Division title.

Surbiton have qualified for EuroHockey League KO12 that will take place in March 2027, while Wimbledon have qualified for EuroHockey Club Trophy 1 which will also take place next March.

Open/Men’s Final – Old Georgians 3-2 Wimbledon

Wimbledon made a terrific start to the Open/Men’s EHL Premier Division Final, with a deflected shot from Euan Gilmour finding its way past Old Georgians’ James Mazarelo. Louis Tipper doubled the Wombles’ lead on the 25th minute mark, before OGS scored less than a minute later through Henry Weir to bring their deficit to one goal before half time. In his last match of professional hockey before retirement, David Ames scored six minutes into the second half from a well-constructed penalty corner routine to level the scores. Soon after, Henry Croft smashed home the winner, also from a penalty corner, which led Old Georgians to lift their fourth Premier Division title in five seasons.

As Premier Division champions, Old Georgians have qualified for next season's EuroHockey League KO12 which will take place in March 2027 as England's top ranked team. Wimbledon have qualified for the EuroHockey League KO16, which takes place later this year in October.