Wembley beckons for brilliant Blues
Sportsdesk • Published 19 Jan 2012 09:30
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READING men and ladies hockey teams both won a place in the finals of the Maxifuel Supersixes National Indoor Championships at Wembley Arena next Sunday.
The men won three of their four games in the second weekend of the competition to ensure qualification.
Their only loss was a 5-4 defeat to reigning champions East Grinstead after Richard Springham, Chronicle columnist Jonty Clarke and Nick Catlin put them 3-1 up.
However, they will have their chance at revenge as the two meet again in the semi-final.
Last season's runners-up Reading ladies beat their 2011 conquerors and defending champions Bowdon Hightown 3-2 in Loughborough on Saturday evening and they will be joined in the women's final by Leicester, the 2010 champions, who won a thrilling match with Sutton Coldfield 7-3.
Two goals from Emma Thomas and one from Chantel De Bruijn put Reading into a commanding 3-0 lead inside 20 minutes before Bowdon hit back to ensure a tense finale.
The Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals is hockey's skilful six-a-side indoor showpiece event where goals are guaranteed in action-packed, lightning-quick 20 minute halves.
It is hockey's biggest domestic event this side of the 2012 Olympic Games and will see Great Britain's Olympic hockey stars playing for their club sides to win the national title and the right to represent England in Europe next season.
READING and Great Britain hockey star Alex Danson won the UK Player of the Year award, chosen by the Hockey Writers' Club, this week.
The 26-year-old Reading striker, who is currently in Argentina with GB's women's squad, was also named in the International Hockey Federation's All-Star team for last year.
And there was more success for Reading as Helen Richardson finished second behind Danson and goalkeeper Beth Storry was third.
Men's FinalMaxifuel Super Sixes Fixtures
Doors open at 11am. Matches will take place at the following times with entertainment intervals throughout the day.
12:00 - Men's Semi-final 1 (Reading vs East Grinstead)
13:35 - Men's Semi-final 2 (Beeston vs Bowdon)
15:20 - Women's Final (Reading vs Leicester)
16:50 - Men's Final: Winner of Men's Semi Final 1 v Winner of Men's Semi Final 2
Tickets for the Maxifuel Super Sixes Finals start at £12.50 for adults and £5 for under 18s. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and 0844 815 0815.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 19 Jan 12
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