Surbiton's new-look defensive strategy paid immediate dividends with a gutsy 2-1 win away at last season's National Premier League and Super Cup runners-up Reading on Saturday.

But the Long Ditton-based visitors had to ride their luck, with Reading scoring from only one of the seven penalty corners they forced, while the visitors converted their only award.

Simon Mantell scored from his side's second penalty corner in the 12th minute, with Matt Daly's equalising conversion coming a minute before the interval.

Then, 15 minutes into the second half, James Tindall miscued his reverse stick attempt on goal, only for his England colleague Rob Moore to drive in the loose ball.

It was a totally different story at Sugden Road on Sunday when Surbiton played some of their best attacking hockey to eventually crush Hampstead & Westminster 5-1.

Inside the first minute, a Brett Garrard pass and instant Moore shot forced a penalty corner. The visiting goalkeeper gloved out Daly's flick, but Moore slotted in the rebound.

On 12 minutes a sweeping move through Stagno, Tindall and Grice set up Moore to force the ball into goal again.

Even the subsequent reduction of Surbiton to 10 men through a temporary five-minute yellow card failed to curb their ambition.

Two minutes before the interval Stagno put in a superb long through ball to Tindall, who ran into the circle and scored with a sweeping reverse-stick effort.

However, Hampstead's Aussie coach worked out an effective game plan at the interval and Surbiton went into their shell, having to play through another five-minute period reduced to 10.

They were back to full strength in the 57th minute when Daly dummied a defence-splitting pass from the left, Moore hit over it and a quickly-reacting Grice turned the ball over the line at the far post.

John Bell ran through to pull a goal back, but Daly restored the margin with Surbiton's fourth and final penalty corner four minutes from time.

This Sunday Surbiton, now fifth, are at home to third-placed Guildford at 2pm. Meanwhile the draw for the third round of the cup has given Surbiton a trip to Exeter to play Isca on Sunday October 23.