Hampstead & Westminster's women had to settle for the runners-up medals in their first appearance in England Hockey's Premier Division final at Surbiton.

They won a thrilling penalty shoot-out to beat East Grinstead in the semi-final and took the lead against the hosts in the decider.

But Surbiton hit back to win 3-1 and secure a ninth title in 10 seasons, although Hampstead can look forward to playing in the European Hockey League next season.

First-quarter goals from Anna Faulstich and Sophie Bray had put Grinstead on top - having won both regular season meetings between the teams by a 5-1 scoreline - but Holly Hunt netted towards the end of the third quarter.

And when Sarah Robertson's deflection at a last-gasp short corner was stopped by Lily Walker's foot on the line, Joie Leigh converted from the spot.

Hampstead trailed 2-1 after the first three attempts in the shootout, but Miriam Pritchard saved Grinstead's final two efforts as Madi Ratcliffe and Sofia Martin beat Issy Field to send the London club into their first-ever final.

Pritchard made multiple saves in the opening period to deny Giselle Ansley and Megan Dowthwaite, before Ratcliffe put David Cooper's side in front against the run of play with a first-time reverse low into the far corner, six minutes into the second quarter.

Leah Wilkinson levelled midway through the third quarter at a penalty corner, then saw Alice Sharp deflect her slap past Pritchard early in the final session.

And Sophie Hamilton made sure of Surbiton's win two minutes from time.

Hampstead captain Katherine Baker said: "As a club we are incredibly proud of this group of talented individuals to have made the England Hockey Finals for the first time.

"It wasn't all smooth sailing this season, but it's a testament to the quality and togetherness of this group of players that, with David Cooper at the helm, the team got the results needed to take them through to the top six, and then through to the finals weekend following phase three.

"The team showed their fighting spirit to battle through to win the semi-final against East Grinstead. The belief and talent in the group was evident yet again in a quality final against Surbiton.

"Despite not taking top spot this year, this group have made history as the first women's team at HWHC to make the final at the England Hockey Finals weekend and have secured another year of European club hockey for the women's club next season.

"This special group of players includes long-standing club members and international athletes at the top of the sport. These players not only give it all to their hockey on a weekly basis, but are also hugely committed to the wider success of the club and to supporting and developing the next generation of players."

Hampstead & Westminster's men were making their first finals weekend appearance since 2019 but fell to a 4-1 defeat against their Surbiton rivals in their semi-final

First-half goals from Stu Rushmere and Tim Nurse put the hosts on top and Josh Kelly’s reply for Andrew Wilson’s side was immediately cancelled out by a Gareth Furlong drag-flick.

Struan Walker added a late fourth with a low reverse finish past Toby Reynolds-Cotterill.

Kai Kaeppeler and Matt Guise-Brown gave Hampstead a two-goal lead before the end of the first quarter against Wimbledon in the bronze-medal match.

But David Condon and Sam Cooper hit back to level and force another shootout.

It was 3-3 after five attempts each, before Jolyon Morgan missed for Hampstead and Jack Waller scored his second shootout to give Wimbledon victory.