Canterbury Ladies slipped to third in Investec Premier Division after suffering their first defeat of the season, a 2-1 reverse at title rivals Surbiton on Saturday.

The Surrey side began the day top of the table and took just eight minutes to open the scoring through Sarah Haycroft.

Haycroft netted her second seven minutes before half-time to give Jen Wilson’s side a mountain to climb, and though Mel Clewlow halved the deficit from a penalty corner strike on 53 minutes, the city club could not find a way back to extend their unbeaten run.

Surbiton lead the way with 16 points from six games, with Holcombe now second after a 6-0 cruise against newly-promoted Buckingham.

Sam Quek put the visitors ahead from a penalty corner just eight minutes in but it was not until five minutes after the break that Lucy Wood made it 2-0 with the first goal of her hat-trick.

Wood’s second and a Tamsyn Naylor strike made it 4-0 by the 52nd minute while Leisa Randall and Wood struck twice in as many minutes in the closing stages to complete the rout.

Holcs are the only other side still unbeaten and climbed to second, a point ahead of Canterbury, with Clifton fourth on goal difference.

Canterbury's men pushed NOW: Pensions Premier Division title challengers Surbiton all the way before slipping to a 5-4 defeat on Sunday.

Isaac O’Connor put the visitors ahead after just four minutes, and despite Matt Daly levelling for the hosts two minutes later, a penalty corner conversion from Kwan Browne on 17 minutes and a Ben Hare strike on 20 minutes had Canterbury 3-1 up.

Daly’s second penalty corner strike reduced the deficit and William Marshall made it 3-3 seven minutes before the break before Daly completed his hat-trick on 49 minutes.

Aaronvir Cheema restored parity once more on 56 minutes but Daly completed a four-goal haul with the deciding ninth goal just before the hour, with his third penalty corner strike.

Surbiton remain level on points with leaders East Grinstead after a fifth win in six while Canterbury remain second-bottom with five defeats in six.