Georgie Blackwood - who scored a hat-trick for the Sonning Lane side in their 5-0 victory at Beeston the following week - had an early opportunity but blazed the ball over the bar in the sixth minute of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division contest.

At the other end Surbiton forced two penalty corners, and Reading goalkeeper Sarah Ellis was also called on to make fine saves from Rebecca Herbert and Sarah Page during a goalless first half.

The visitors continued to create chances after the break but neither Jo Hunter nor Sandra Frankland could convert from open play.

The table-toppers had Holly Munro sin-binned but overcame their numerical disadvantage to take the lead courtesy of a well-worked short corner routine which Herbert deflected past Ellis.

Reading continued to battle hard but the second and decisive Surbiton goal came with four minutes to play, as Hunter finished off another well rehearsed penalty corner to seal the victory. Reading remain in seventh place heading into the winter break and resume their campaign with an away trip to Clifton on Jaunary 31.

Reading Men’s 1sts fell to defeat by the same scoreline and to the same club later on in the afternoon.

The Now: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division game followed a similar patter to the ladies’ equivalent as the sides went into half-time with the score 0-0.

But it took just four minutes of the second half for Surbiton to take the lead, as Matt Daly’s drag-flick put the visitors in front. And the second-placed side closed out the game in the 63rd minute when Alan Forsyth scored from open play to end Reading hopes of a comeback.

The Sonning Lane team stay fifth and welcome Cannock on Sunday (2.30pm) after their game last month was abandoned due to fog with Reading leading 1-0 at half-time.