Hockey: Reading face Loughborough for a place in Europe

Reading play Loughborough Students today with a place in Europe at stake, in the Premiership Final at East Grinstead, while Slough and Canterbury will contest the women's final.

Loughborough's success on Saturday over Cannock, who finished 16 points ahead of them in the league, was crowned by Scottish international David Ralph touching home a shot from his player coach, England's Jason Lee, four minutes into golden-goal extra time, for a 3-2 victory.

When the women's teams met in last month's Cup final, Canterbury won 4-0. On Saturday, the Kent side beat Olton and West Warwick 3-2, with Anna Bennett scoring twice. Both finalists qualify for Europe next season as Slough have already won the League title.

After just eight seasons, Old Georgians qualified for the National League when they won their fourth-round game against Sheffield University Bankers 1-3 at Belle Vue, Manchester, yesterday. In the women's tournament, leaders Epsom lost 2-0 to a youthful Worcester Norton, who go into today's last round games one point ahead.