[img_assist|nid=2266|title=Cup kings|desc=Beeston have reached five consecutive cup finals and are the defending champions, having defeated Doncaster 6-2 last year – Andy Smith|link=node|align=right|width=180|height=127]The Investec women’s hockey cup and men’s cup (the HA Cup to us!) come to their climax this weekend with the finals taking place on Sunday at Cannock Hockey Club.
In the Investec women’s cup, Surbiton return for their second successive final and will hope to go one better than they did last year where they lost out 4-1 to premier division side Bowdon Hightown. Surbiton have enjoyed a successful season, having won the Investec women’s conference east before going on to seal promotion to next season’s Investec women’s premier division via the promotion playoffs.
In contrast, University of Birmingham have had a mixed season finishing seventh in the premier division, with safety only secured in the final game of the season. They did however overcome their semi final curse to reach their first ever cup final and both teams will look to finish their season in style by lifting the cup for the first time.
In the HA cup final, Beeston will be looking for their third successive cup triumph as they take on Hampstead & Westminster in what will be a repeat of the 2010 final, which the Nottinghamshire side narrowly won 2-1 thanks to two goals in the last eight minutes. The two sides also met in last season’s semi final, with Beeston winning 5-2 before going on to win the final.
Beeston have been the cup kings in recent years and this will be their fifth consecutive final, having won three out of the last four. Both sides have beaten one another in the league this season, with Hampstead & Westminster beating Beeston 3-2 back in October before Beeston got their revenge in a 4-0 victory. This will be Hampstead & Westminster’s second appearance in a Men’s Cup final as they look to lift the trophy for the first time.
Both finals will be played at Cannock Hockey Club. Spectators should be aware that there is an entrance fee of £6 for adults and £3 for concessions, with a parking charge of £3. See below for match details.
Investec women’s cup final
Sunday May 13 – 13:00 – Surbiton v University of Birmingham
Men’s cup final
Sunday May 13 – 15:30 – Hampstead & Westminster v Beeston
Venue: Cannock Hockey Club, Chase Park, Church Lane, Hatherton, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1RR.
