Hockey: Injury keeps Mason on sidelines for Reading

Although tomorrow's English Cup finals may have been devalued with the winners no longer having direct entry into the European Cup-Winners Cup competition, both Reading and Surbiton, who are contesting the men's final, have decided to play their Great Britain internationals.

Reading, however, will be missing the goalkeeper Simon Mason, who is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Madrid last month. The former Canterbury goalkeeper Simon Triggs will deputise.

Hightown, who face Fyffes Leicester in the women's final, have already won the National League and look set for a League and Cup double. Their opponents are the only team not to have already secured a place in the top six Premiership play-offs for European places.

A full house is expected this afternoon at Chelmer Park for the visit of Nottingham. Victory for Chelmsford would mean they join Firebrands, the First Division champions, in the Premier Division next season.

The home side will hope to repeat the 7-1 win they secured in the earlier fixture between the two sides before Christmas. Third-placed Bournville, equal on points with Chelmsford, are at home to Stourport and would have to better Chelmsford's result by at least 12 goals to take the step up.

In the Second Division Old Georgians, who host Brooklands, look set for the title, although if they slip up East Grinstead, equal on points, could sneak in with a win against Indian Gymkhana.