Canterbury Hockey Club's men's team Premier Division play-off fate goes to the wire
Canterbury take on Southgate during their 3-2
win Picture: Chris
Davey
Canterbury’s play-off fate in the national Premier Division will
come down to a final-day clash at Cannock.
Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 win over relegation-battlers Southgate
at Polo Farm left the city club third, two points behind
second-placed Surbiton, one ahead of fourth-placed Reading and East
Grinstead, with Cannock a further point back in sixth.
A top-four place ensures a spot in the championship play-offs
with the top-two playing their play-off semi-finals at home.
Liam Foster gave the hosts the perfect start with the opening
goal after two minutes and although Simeon Bird equalised for the
visitors on 21 minutes, a penalty corner from Kwan Browne less than
a minute later put the city club ahead at the break.
John Sterlini looked to have snatched a point for the Middlesex
side from a set-piece shortly before the hour but Ben Allbery
pounced two minutes from time to secure a 3-2 win.
Canterbury Ladies need to win their final game at Surbiton to
secure top spot in the Premier Division and a place in European
competition next season.
The city club secured a top-two finish with a 6-2 win over Olton
& West Warwickshire at Polo Farm on Saturday but must win at
Surbiton – who also need a victory to secure a play-off place – to
finish above Leicester, one point behind with a slightly better
goal difference.
Lucy Hyams and Eliza Brett gave the city club a fine start on
Saturday night with goals in the opening five minutes and despite
Pascale Massey halving the deficit after 10 minutes, Cara Jones
made it 3-1 on 16 minutes and it took just three minutes for Jade
Mayne to make it four.
A Mayne penalty stroke made it 5-1 after 22 minutes which
allowed Canterbury to cruise through the rest of the game, with Mel
Clewlow making it 6-1 from a penalty stroke just before the hour
before a Kerry Thompson-Moore consolation.
18/03/13
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