Surbiton skipper eyes crunch clash with league heavyweights Reading

By Chris Cottrell, Sportsbeat

SURBITON captain Tim Pinnock insists his side are hitting their peak at just the right time ahead of this weekend's glamour fixture against Reading in the men's Premier Division. 

CRUNCH MATCH: Surbiton skipper Tim Pinnock is only too aware of importance of clash with fellow league heavyweights Reading (Ady Kerry/England Hockey)

The free-scoring Surrey side took over as league leaders last weekend after an impressive 4-0 win at Brooklands MU. Another three points would guarantee their place at the summit over the Christmas break.

But Reading, Premier Division runners-up last season, remain hot on their heels in second and would return to the top with three points at Sugden Road.

And with both teams carrying unbeaten records into Saturday's heavyweight contest, Pinnock was adamant his team were under no illusions as to the importance of the match.

"There's no doubt the game on Saturday is the biggest of the season so far," said Pinnock.

"They will be disappointed to have dropped a few points in recent weeks but they'd go top if they beat us; so there's a lot at stake.

"But we're getting more and more consistent now and game after game I feel like we're playing better hockey.

"The clean sheet last week was really important as well because we've leaked a few goals so the signs are positive at the moment."

As England prepare to kick-off their Champions Trophy campaign in Melbourne next weekend, both teams have seen their squads decimated with Reading losing keeper Nick Brothers as well as top-scorer Richard Mantell, industrious midfielder Iain Mackay and forward Jonty Clarke.

And although Surbiton will miss Richard Alexander, Rob Moore and James Tindall,   neither ten-goal Matt Daly nor experienced back Ben Hawes have made the trip Down Under and Pinnock insists their participation might swing the tie in his favour.

"We're quite lucky in that Matt is staying because he's recovering from an injury at the moment," said Pinnock, who leads the Premier Division top scorers with 14 goals.

"And Ben is staying because of work commitments so hopefully that will work to our advantage.

"Reading are missing most of their England players as well so you could see that as an advantage to us.

"But in reality, both teams have got quite a few former internationals so there'll be no lack of quality in the game."

Elsewhere, defending champions East Grinstead will look to return to winning ways at home to Loughborough Students.

The West Sussex outfit have picked up just two points from their last two games and are by no means a shoe-in for the win on Saturday against a Loughborough side whose season has gathered momentum with two wins in their last two games.

Meanwhile, fourth-placed Beeston will fancy their chances at Bowdon as the Cheshire side are yet to win at home this season.

Finally, Hampstead & Westminster host Brooklands MU and the University of Exeter continue their quest for a first win of the season at home to Cannock.

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