BOTH Canterbury’s men and women are handily placed going into the second weekend of the National Indoor Championships.

With three wins from four matches the men lie third in their league, while the women are in fifth after collecting two wins and two defeats.

Rob Playford and Sam Bury both returned to the men’s fold and with a larger squad than has been possible in the past, they travelled to Cox Moor Wood full of optimism.

They began their campaign against East Grinstead, and led 3-1 before being pegged back to 3-3 by the break.

Canterbury’s failure to capitalise on their first-half dominance was ultimately to prove their downfall as East Grinstead stepped up the tempo in the second period to triumph 9-5.

Canterbury’s scorers were Stewart Keir, Matt Harper, Aaron Goninon, Ben Hare and David Mathews.

For the second time in the day Canterbury let slip a two-goal lead against Kingston-upon-Hull but as the game progressed they started to relax pulling clear 8-4, led by Keir’s double-hat-trick. Mathews and Goninon were the other marksmen.

Canterbury faced Beeston first up on Sunday and led 3-2 at half-time. Aaron Goninon did little to relieve the tension when he fired a penalty stroke well wide and Canterbury looked stretched and ill at ease for periods of the game.

With five minutes to go the Midlands side were 4-3 in front before a rare goal from captain Andy Richardson levelled proceedings.

Beeston were then reduced to five men by a yellow card and Canterbury were able to capitalise by the time the offending player had served his suspension.

Keir again reaped most of the goals, this time chipping in with four as they won 7-4. Hare and Playford were also on target.

Newly-promoted Guildford were the day’s final opponents and Canterbury eased home 5-2, a margin which could have doubled their tally had it not been for Nick Taylor in goal.

Mathews’ hat-trick included a bizarre goal when his drag flick from a penalty corner struck the crossbar and ricocheted straight up in the air.

The new rule that allows a defender on the line at a penalty corner to wear a protective helmet then came into play as the ball dropped and struck the defender on top of the head, and deflected the ball into the back of the net. Playford chipped in with the other two goals.

Nine points from a possible 12 represents a solid start for Canterbury, but work remains to ensure qualification for finals night at the NIA Birmingham on Sunday, February 5.

This Saturday sees fixtures against Loughborough Students, who have a 100 per cent win record, and Reading who also took nine points from the first weekend. On Sunday, Canterbury face St Albans and Bournville.

* The women have a bit more work to do than the men having opened their programme at Rickmansworth with a 3-1 defeat against Sutton Coldfield.

Jen Wilson scored their consolation with Laura Price, Jane Sixsmith and Louise Pittam replying for the Midlanders although it was not until the dying minutes that the game was settled.

A short corner hat-trick from Mel Clewlow brought Canterbury’s first win as they edged out Ipswich 3-2. Clewlow had Canterbury 2-0 in front before Evie Van Poortvliet halved the deficit and the England international had already completed her treble before Emma Lee-Smith got Ipswich’s second.

Clewlow was again among the goals on Sunday, finding the net four times from set pieces as Canterbury handed Harleston Magpies a 6-1 defeat.

Nat Seymour and Juliet Chapman were the other scorers with Frances Sumner getting Harleston’s sole reply.

Canterbury were behind inside five minutes against Chelmsford as Lynn Bollington put the Essex side ahead, but they looked to have salvaged a point through Laura Gittins only for Sarah Kelleher to grab a late winner.

Canterbury face Leicester and Clifton on Saturday before tackling Slough and Bowdon Hightown the following day.

They will, however, be without Clewlow and keeper Becky Duggan, who are in Cordoba for a four-team international tournament featuring England, Holland, Australia and hosts Argentina.

The duo will be joined in South America by clubmate Cathy Gilliat-Smith, and Polo Farm’s newest recruit, 23-year old Rachel Walsh, the sister of fellow England star Kate.

Defender Frances Houslop was also due to make the trip but this week announced her retirement from international hockey due to work commitments.