Head coach Todd Williams hopes new signing James Nyman is ready to settle down in London after a promising debut for Surbiton on Saturday. 

The 22-year-old Australian arrived last week from the University of Western Australia – Williams’ former club – as part of a reciprocal agreement that saw Sugden Road’s James Royce go in the opposite direction last year.

Royce has subsequently remained in Perth and Williams, who saw goals from Matt Daly and Dave Beckett account for Hampstead & Westminster 2-0 on Saturday, would like Nyman to do the same in the UK.

“The arrangement did not quite work out last year, because James [Royce] fell in love and never returned,” he said.

“James Nyman’s girlfriend arrives in the country fairly soon, so, hopefully, that will not be a problem this time.

“But he has a British passport, has just finished a commerce law degree and will be in the market for some sort of work experience I’m sure. What better place to do that than London?

”Hopefully, he’ll be around a bit longer.”

He added: “Surbiton is a brilliant club, it is huge.

“We have been trying to broaden our touch with the hockey world and if we can strengthen our ties to other clubs across the world and in Europe then so much the better.”

Surbiton’s Rebecca Herbert struck her fifth goal of the season to put her side two points clear at the top of the WHL Premier League table on Saturday.

Herbert fired home four minutes into the second half to secure a 2-1 win at Clifton after being forced to come from behind to bag the points.

Jo Leigh had earlier put the home side ahead from a third minute penalty corner, but head coach Brett Garrard’s Surbiton hit back to level through Abi Robinson 17 minutes later.

Sugden Road’s men remain second are second in the MHL Premier Division table and are level on points with league leaders East Grinstead, but have an inferior goal difference.

The club’s two premier side’s both entertain Canterbury this weekend.