It was a case of mixed fortunes for Kent’s sides at the weekend with Canterbury, Holcombe and Sevenoaks all in action.

Brooklands Manchester University guaranteed their Premier Division status for next season with a 3-2 defeat of fellow strugglers Canterbury as the Men’s Hockey League reached a thrilling finale.

Canterbury needed to win to avoid the relegation play-offs, but Brooklands took the lead after 22 minutes as Peter Flanagan found the net.

After the break, Dave Flanagan doubled their advantage but Craig Boyne gave Canterbury hope with a strike in the 42^nd minute.

Ross Hall made it 3-1 on 53 minutes and although Boyne pulled another back for Canterbury, it wasn’t to be enough.

Having already qualified for the play-offs, Holcombe and Hampstead and Westminster, drew 3-3.

Ian Harvey, Gareth Andrew and Samuel Ward struck for Holcombe whilst Jonny Codling, Samuel French and Peter Makin scored for Hampstead.

Sevenoaks claimed the Conference East title – and a place in the promotion play-offs – in dramatic style after a 3-2 victory in their winner-takes-all match at Teddington.

Andrew Ross twice gave Sevenoaks the lead, only for Tim Davenport and Phil Lewis to hit back for the hosts.

A draw would have seen Teddington claim top spot, but Andrew Ross completed his hat trick two minutes from time with his 21^st and most important goal of the campaign to give Sevenoaks the decisive win.

 

Men’s Hockey League (Sunday 26 March, 2017):

 

Men’s Premier Division: Beeston 2, East Grinstead 0; Canterbury 2, Brooklands MU 3; Hampstead and Westminster 3, Holcombe 3; Loughborough Students 1, Reading 6; Surbiton 3, Wimbledon 3.

 

Men’s Conference East: Cambridge City 5, Oxted 2; Richmond 3, West Herts 2; Southgate 4, Brighton and Hove 2; Teddington 2, Sevenoaks 3; Wapping 2, Indian Gymkhana 4.

 

Picture supplied by Simon Parker.