Holcombe begin their first season back in the Premier Division with the first part of a double-header against Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon (16:00), as Nick Bandurak’s side welcome the Londoners to Holcombe Park.

Former Holcombe player and women’s coach Kevin Johnson is now in charge of the Wombles, too, and will be looking to spoil the party on Saturday as Holcs celebrate their immediate return to the top-flight.

Nick Bandurak has added five players over the summer with Tessa Reid, Kaitlin Cotter, Evie Younger, Olivia Shannon and Maddie Newitt all joining, with all in line to potentially make their Incredible Holcs debuts in front of a packed terrace on Saturday.

Holcs ended last season’s Division One South campaign with four consecutive wins over Canterbury, Team Bath Buccaneers, Barnes and Wimbledon 2s before losing out in the England Hockey Tier One Championship Final 2-1 against Beeston having also won Super 6s promotion back in January under former Holcombe captain Richard Lane.

Holcombe and Wimbledon’s first-teams, meanwhile, last met in November 2022, with Wimbledon running out 3-0 winners at Holcombe Park.

The visitors have faced a summer of change, signing six players with five outgoings – Kitty Baccanello, Maddie Peel, Bronwyn Shields, Katie Birch, Jess Buchanan and Emily Overend have all signed while Nicki Cochrane, Fiona Crackles, Jen Eadie, Fiona Burnet and Harriet Naismith have all departed the club.

Entry is free at Holcombe Park on Saturday with Holcombe’s men also in action against Wimbledon at 18:30 as Kwan Browne’s side kick off their Premier Division campaign under the lights.

Image: Theresa Field