Despite ending the Investec World Hockey League semi-finals on a losing note, Surbiton’s Sarah Haycroft and Georgie Twigg have plenty of reasons to be cheerful.
In an England shirt, Haycroft and Twigg had to settle for silver medals after being outclassed 3-0 by Australia in the League final on Sunday.
However, by virtue of their results, England have qualified for both the World Hockey Cup next year, and the Investec World Hockey League finals in Argentina in November.
And England’s success is good for Surbiton too.
Haycroft said: “The fact Georgie and I are with the England squad is not only a good driver for the others at Surbiton, but it also shows the other teams in the Division that we mean business.
Good for all: Sarah Haycroft’s turn in the England shirt can inspire her Surbiton team-mates Picture: Ady Kerry
“We’re a team to watch out for this season and the seasons to come. These are exciting times for Surbiton.”
Twigg said: “We have some U18s who sit on the bench at some Surbiton games, or who come for training.
“Hopefully we can inspire them to keep going and be the best they can. “That can only be good for them and Surbiton.”
She added: “English hockey is in a great place. Although we lost, to have reached the final with what is a young side with a new coach is wonderful.
“It really will be an exciting three and a half years for England.”
To reach Sunday’s final, which ultimately ended in defeat, England had to overcome the World champions Argentina, which they did in a thrilling 4-2 win on Saturday.
Twigg said: “We were firing on all cylinders against Argentina. We took the chances that we created and rarely let them out their half.
“Against Australia, they were the better team, they stepped up and really hounded us.
“But qualification for the World Cup and the World Hockey League finals was paramount, and we achieved that.”
England’s next competition is the TriFinance Euro Hockey Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, from August 17. England will be in pool B and will play Germany, Spain, and old rivals, Scotland.
Surbiton get back to action in the Premier Division of the Women’s Hockey League in September.
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