The Men’s and Investec Women’s Hockey League Play-offs enjoyed a sunny first round of matches at the Nottingham Hockey Centre with wins for Sevenoaks and Canterbury men.

Sevenoaks got the men’s competition underway with a 3-2 win over Team Bath Buccaneers.

George Torry and Duncan Parnis put the Kent side 2-1 up after a quarter of an hour. A Peter Scott goal halved the deficit but Andrew Ross converted a corner close to the break to make it 3-1 in Sevenoaks favour. Matthew Boote made it 3-2 but Bath couldn’t find an equaliser from the remaining 20 minutes.

Premier Division Canterbury also helped their chances of avoiding the drop beating Durham University 4-1. Durham actually opened the scoring through Charlie Stubbings but two open play goals in a minute just before the break from Harry Roberts and James Oates turned the game round.

In the second half a great Josh Pollard backhand put Canterbury 3-1 ahead and he then turned provider with a through ball that Will Heywood took round the keeper to see Canterbury take command and run out 4-1 winners.

The tournament concludes at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in a fortnight’s time alongside the league finals. To buy tickets for the event click here