Titles are beginning to be decided across Europe with April seeing national champions crowned in Ireland, Scotland and England. Here’s a round-up of how those were decided!
Ireland
On the women’s side, Róisín Upton’s penalty stroke one second from time earned Railway Union a spot in Europe as the Irish women’s national winners as they dethroned Loreto with a 1-0 EY Champions Trophy.
Loreto had won the regular season title to earn the other Euro spot with Railway their nearest chasers through the season.
In an extremely close final, it was Railway’s newest addition who got the crucial goal with Upton – who made her debut for the club last month – writing herself quickly into the club’s history books.
They will find out in due course whether this result will be confirmed as bringing them a first Euro Hockey League place.
Banbridge retained the Irish men’s EY Champions Trophy title and a return to the Euro Hockey League’s next season as they defeated Lisnagarvey in front of their home crowd at Havelock Park.
They survived a big semi-final battle on Saturday to reach the final, defeating YMCA in a shoot-out after normal time ended 0-0.
In the decider, Philip Brown gave Bann an early lead from a corner but Garvey were level by half-time from a corner move of their own, Peter McKibbin scoring from near the baseline.
The winner came in the third quarter with Josh Moffett getting a great touch to a ball fired into the circle, making it 2-1.
And that is how it remained to the final whistle as Luke Roleston made a string of strong corner stops, brilliantly keeping out a low deflection move in the last five minutes.
Scotland
Western Wildcats will represent Scotland in the Euro Hockey League next season after beating Grange 1-0 in the men’s Grand Final at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.
The game was settled in the second quarter as the prolific attacker Fraser Moran’s shot on the turn made it all the way to the backboard following excellent approach work from Callum Duke and Rob Harwood.
Gavin Sommerville made some super saves to keep it that way while his defence helped keep out a final minute corner to ensure they will return to the EHL next season.
In the women’s final, Watsonians won 4-0 against Clydesdale Western to take the primary European spot from Scotland.
Katie Stott broke the deadlock before Anni Arthur added another. In the closing stages, Millie Berndes-Cade and Sarah Jamieson made the game extra safe.
England
Surbiton won their ninth English title in 10 seasons to become the first team to qualify for next season’s EHL Women’s FINAL12 as they defeated Hampstead & Westminster 3-1 in their championship final on Sunday.
Madi Ratcliffe scored a super opener for her 16th goal of the season in the first half but Surbiton turned the game on its head with three goals in the second half from Leah Wilkinson, Alice Sharp and Sophie Hamilton.
England’s three EHL Men’s qualifiers were confirmed as Old Georgians became the first side to win the Premier Division titles for three years in succession since Cannock in 2006.
They were 3-1 winners over Surbiton in the final as they overcame the concession of an early goal from Struan Walker with Lee Morton, Dan Shingles and James Carson earning them a 3-1 win.
It adds to their incredible season which also featured a Super 6s Premier Division title, Premier Division title and EHL bronze.
OGs qualify directly for next season’s EHL FINAL8 while Surbiton earned a place in the EHL KO16 thanks to their run to the final. At the KO16, they will be joined by Wimbledon who won the third place playoff.
