CANTERBURY will be the only club to have teams in both the men’s and women’s sections of the National Indoor Hockey finals at Birmingham next month.

The men finished fourth in their competition at Cox Moor Wood to qualify, while the women, missing England internationals Mel Clewlow and Becky Duggan, claimed third spot at Rickmansworth.

Both now go forward to the final stages at the National Indoor Arena on Sunday, February 5, where the men face favourites Loughborough Students, and the women take on Bowdown Hightown.

Andy Richardson’s squad went into the second round of league matches occupying the fourth and final qualifying spot and they began on the Saturday with a morale-boosting 5-5 draw against Loughborough.

Canterbury were the only team to take a point off the students and they might have had all three but for Tim Benford’s equaliser just four minutes from time.

Goals from Aaron Goninon, Stewart Keir, and David Mathews had Canterbury 3-1 in front after just four minutes, and with further strikes from Keir and Matt Harper they led 5-4 until Benford’s late corner strike.

Canterbury’s second outing of the day also ended in a creditable draw, as they came from 2-0 down after nine minutes to hold Reading 4-4.

Keir, Andrew Dunn, and Mathews were their marksmen, the latter’s second coming six minutes from time to earn the draw. Canterbury finished day one still in fourth, two points clear of Beeston, and they opened on Sunday with an 8-3 victory over bottom club St Albans.

Keir led the way with four goals, with the others coming from Rob Playford (2), Goninon, and Mathews.

With Beeston losing both their games on the day, against Reading (6-3) and East Grinstead (8-3), Canterbury were safe before taking on Bournville and in an extraordinary game they surged into a 6-0 lead only to lose in a dramatic finale 9-8.

By the 34th minute Bournville were level and they led 7-6, and 8-7 before Keir and Steve Harding swapped goals in the final minute to leave the midlanders narrow winners.

Mathews hit four of Canterbury’s goals with two for Keir and one each for Harper and Sam Bury.

Canterbury’s women started week two of their campaign just outside the qualifying places in fifth, but they opened up with a vital 1-0 victory over Leicester, who were level on points with them.

Jen Wilson grabbed the decisive goal, as early as the second minute, and the South African international was also on target in the 2-1 victory over Clifton.

Kirsty Chambers gave Canterbury a 16th minute lead, which Wilson doubled eight minutes later. Clifton’s reply came from Juliet Rayden with seven minutes remaining.

Those results left Canterbury well placed in second, three points clear of fifth-placed Hightown, and they all but clinched their finals spot with a thrilling 2-1 win over Slough.

Wilson’s third goal of the day gave Canterbury a 13th minute lead and after Jane Smith’s 38th minute equaliser looked to have salvaged Slough a point, Chambers pounced for last-minute winner.

Canterbury completed their programme against Bowdown Hightown, whose 2-0 victory came courtesy of goals in quick succession by Tina Cullen (12 minutes) and Nicky O’Donnell (13).

The two teams meet again in the semi-finals at Birmingham, at 1.30pm, with the men on earlier against Loughborough, at 12.20pm.

Canterbury were knocked out at the same stage by Loughborough last year, losing 7-2, although the sides were all sqaure at half time.

* More than 2,000 tickets have already been sold for the finals and further details may be obtained by calling 0870 909 4144.