Mel Clewlow says the prospect of an immediate return to Europe helped her put the ‘horrific disappointment’ of Canterbury Ladies’ EuroHockey Club Champions Cup campaign behind her.

The GB Olympian was disconsolate after defeats in the opening two games in Holland two weeks ago left Canterbury facing relegation from the top tier of European club hockey.

In the aftermath of a shock 3-2 reverse against UC Dublin in Bilthoven, Clewlow tweeted “Spent 12 months preparing 4 this tournament, getting fit, losing weight only to be relegated....quite frankly that really sucks.”

Speaking ahead of the Investec Premier Division play-offs this weekend the defender revealed: “Normally it takes 15 or 20 minutes for me to get over a loss.This time I must have sat in the dugout for 45 minutes.

“It must have been three or four hours later when we were back at the hotel that I sent that. It absolutely came from the heart at that moment.”

She added: “I am not young, I’m 39 in a few weeks, I’ve always said I wanted one more shot at Europe before I considered anything like retirement, and then for that to happen... we were all horrifically disappointed.

“I’m back now though. I’m over it and fully focused on the weekend. We have the chance to get back into Europe – though, depending on results, we would have to wait until the end of May to find out what position the second-ranked English team go into Europe – the top level or the second competition.”

Canterbury face Clifton at 4.30pm on Saturday at Lee Valley at the Olympic Park, with the winner playing Surbiton or Reading in the play-off final at 3.15pm the following day. The third-place play-off is at 1pm on Sunday.

She added: “We are fully focused on Clifton. If we win that and Surbiton win then we are guaranteed Europe at some level, but we want to try and win it all and secure the top spot.”