Hockey: Surbiton fall to hosts

There were mixed fortunes for English clubs in the European Cup-Winners' Cup yesterday. In the women's event in Rotterdam, Slough beat Vilnius of Lithuania 4-1 but here Surbiton lost their opening game 2-0 to the host club, Egara.

Surbiton conceded a sloppy goal in the 11th minute after a promising start, Eduard Tubau meeting a cross from David Alegre unmarked on the far post. Nevertheless, they should have been on terms within a minute but Matt Daly failed to take advantage of the first of three chances.

Pau Quemada put the game out of Surbiton's reach when he gave Chris Hibbert no chance with a rocket-like drag shot from their second penalty corner in the 58th minute.

Surbiton continued to create chances to the final whistle but they never really looked like breaking down a solid Spanish defence. Today, they face St-Germain, who were beaten 8-2 by An der Alster from Hamburg.

In the second group, England's David Mathews helped Amsterdam to a 6-0 victory against Instonians from Northern Ireland.