Canterbury skipper Matt Harper, left, says his side will be looking to win their final game at Holcombe on Sunday

Canterbury Hockey Club go into the final round of matches in Men’s Conference East on Sunday determined to avoid a repeat of their bitter disappointment of 12 months ago.

Then, second-placed Canterbury won their final match but were still pipped for the title, and a place in the play-offs, by Oxted.

This time, however, it’s Canterbury who are in the driving seat.

They lead the table by two points from Old Loughtonians and know that a point from their visit to Kent rivals Holcombe (2pm) will be enough to secure the title, no matter what Old Loughts do in their final match at Oxted, who subsequently missed out in last year’s promotion play-offs after winning the championship.

If Canterbury lose at Holcombe and Old Loughts defeat Oxted, then the Essex side will snatch the title on goal difference, but Canterbury captain Matt Harper is confident his side won’t miss out again.

Canterbury beat Southgate 4-0 at Polo Farm on Saturday, and Harper said afterwards: "We are probably playing our best hockey of the season at the moment, and have scored 10 goals in our last two games with none against.

"I know a draw will be enough on Sunday, but we will go to Holcombe looking for a win and hopefully plenty of our supporters will also be there to cheer us home."