Canterbury Ladies missed out on a place in Europe but rallied to record a third-placed finish in the Investec Women’s Hockey League finals.

The city club faced host club Reading on Saturday evening, knowing a win would earn them a place in European competition next season and a final tie against reigning champions Leicester.

Reading went ahead through Susie Gilbert after 17 minutes and GB star Kate Walsh drag-flicked over Becca Smith from a penalty corner to double the lead soon after.

Walsh thumped in another penalty corner to make it 3-0 before the break, but Canterbury battled on and reduced the deficit on 46 minutes when Mel Clewlow’s shot from a corner rattled in off a defender’s stick.

However, Reading restored their three-goal lead through Ellie Cockburn and after the city club introduced a kicking back GB star Alex Danson exploited space at the back to roll the fifth into an empty net.

Despite their European dream being over on Sunday afternoon the city club came from behind to overcome Surbiton 3-2 and secure third-place and some useful prize money.

Elen Barnes put Surbiton ahead after 10 minutes but Jade Mayne finished a fine move to equalise soon after.

Amy Bryan restored the lead before the break but Mayne fired a superb reverse-stick shot to make it 2-2 after the turnaround.

The comeback was complete eight minutes from time when Sarah Kerly lifted a strike high into the net.

Caption: Sarah Kerly, whose goal gave Canterbury victory in the third place play-off