The Surrey Comet and Elmbridge Guardian take a look back at the sports stories that mattered to the borough in 2012.

January: Walton & Hersham Graeme Purdy scored a hat-trick as the Swans beat Whitstable Town 5-0 to start the year at Stompond Lane with a draw and a win. The good form was short-lived as Walton failed to make Ryman Division One South play-offs. Boss Chuck Martini resigned in November.

February: Scrum half Jamie Mackenzie starred as Esher secured only their second win of a troubled Championship season with a 24-14 triumph over relegation rivals London Scottish.

March: Molesey Boat Club’s Andrew Triggs Hodge and partner Pete Reed won the British trials and were immediately parachuted in to the men’s coxless four crew for the London 2012 Olympics.

April:  Surbiton Ladies win promotion to the Women’s Hockey League Premier Division via the play-offs for the first time in the club’s history, having lifted the Conference East title in March, while London Scottish celebrated a bonus point try that condemned Esher to Championship relegation

May: Hersham’s Sam Bird wins at Monaco in the World Series by Renault.