Photos courtesy of John O'Brien at firstfocusphoto.com

East Grinstead Under 18's started their season with a new-look team against Surbiton in the first round of the England Hockey Under 18 Cup. Seb Martin captained the side with Dan Masters as Vice Captain and the team contained the spine of the successful Under 21 side that played in the Sussex Cup last year. Preparations for the season have been left a little late this season due the first two Under 18 Mercian League games being cancelled.

Mark Pearn and Matt Jones took pre-match preparations in a similar fashion to that of our first team and the warm-up certainly proved valuable when Alex Watson opened up EG's account following nice build up play from Rob Wilson and Mike Shelton within the first five minutes. Further field goals were scored by James Allington, Seb Martin, Rupert Ashdown and John Parker. Mike Shelton grabbed two more before Tom Batchelor took the total to 9. …. East Grinstead now move into the second round and should open their Mercian league campaign against Reigate on the 18th November - a great first result and platform to build upon.

Squad: Roger Kingsnorth (GK), Karl Bass, Dan Masters (VC), Hanmish Forbes, Seb Martin ©, Ali Carter, Alex Watson, Robert Wilson, Tom Batchelor, Mike Shelton, James Allington, Mat Needle, Rupert Ashdown, John Parker, Will Newland.

Scorers: A Watson, J Allington, S Martin, R Ashdown, J Parker, M Shelton 2, T Batchelor