Jen Wilson remained philosophical after Canterbury Ladies missed out on a place in the Wembley final of the Hockey 5s Championships following an agonising defeat in the last-four at Kettering.

The city club faced Premier Division table-toppers Bowdon Hightown in the semi-final in Northamptonshire on Saturday evening but despite a strong showing, were denied a place in the televised finals on January 25 after a fine performance by Amy Tennant in the Manchester side’s goal.

Player/coach Wilson said: “We can be philosophical. Of course we are disappointed to have come so close, but overall, when you look back, we have to be pleased with how we have performed.

“We achieved everything we’d have liked, barring the result on Saturday. I think we have opened people’s eyes.

“Every player barring our three goalkeepers has scored at some stage during the three indoor weekends.”

She added: “The Bowdon keeper was phenomenal. She made some unbelievable saves and both teams recognised that.

“She was the difference between what might have been a 7-5 win and a 5-4 defeat.
“I think we had 25 circle entries to their 16 and on another day it wo