Surbiton keeper David Kettle started his countdown to the Commonwealth Games in Scotland with a hectic weekend for club and country.

Kettle starred as James Tindall’s second-half strike ensured a 1-1 draw with Reading at Sugden Road on Saturday, a matter of hours after attending a morning team briefing and kit-fitting session for Wales in Cardiff.

Tickets to see Games are almost sold out and while Kettle cannot wait, there is still the matter of helping Surbiton’s bid for a top four MHL Premier Division finish.

“The briefing started our preparations for the Commonwealth Games and it was a real buzz being around all the other athletes,” he said.

“It’s going to be a really exciting eight or nine months as we build up to Glasgow.

“Surbiton have a tough few weeks ahead, but if we keep up the intensity at training and implement the things our coach has been getting us to work on, we’ll be in a good place by Christmas.”

Surbiton ladies captain Sarah Haycroft was this week omitted from the England squad for the World League Finals in Argentina later this month.

Haycroft, who won European Championship silver with England in August, will instead team up with the Great Britain squad for a three-match series against Germany in Mannheim next week.

Surbiton host Bowdon Hightown in the WHL Premier Division on Saturday and Loughborough Students in the Women’s Cup third round on Sunday.

Your Local Guardian:

Out: Surbiton ladies skipper Sarah Haycroft has been left out of the England squad for the World League Finals later this month             SP79036