CANTERBURY'S defence of hockey's national Women's Cup ended at the first hurdle on Sunday when they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Trojans in Southampton.

Canterbury's victory in last year's final against Slough had bought the club its first national senior trophy.

But on Sunday the absence of the Premier Division club's international players, including Mel Clewlow and Anna Bennett, allowed Trojans, unbeaten in Division 1 this season, to win with penalty corner goals from Nyssa McNeill in the 13th minute and Nadine Devereux a minute into the second half.

It completed an unhappy weekend for Canterbury who had lost their unbeaten record in the national Premier Division on Saturday with a 4-0 home defeat by second-placed Clifton.