The England Hockey Cup (T1 Championship in modern parlance) still means something to some clubs — even if profile and interest has waned considerably in recent years — as the tournament reaches its semi-final stage this weekend.
Old Georgians men and Beeston women are two matches away from securing a hat-trick of national Cup successes in a season where only 12 teams entered in both the men’s and women’s draws.
In the men’s T1 Championship, Old Georgians are still in the running for a third straight national Cup success, with two lower league clubs also out for upsets.
OGs, who edged past Clifton Robinsons in a last eight shoot-out, face Banbury on Sunday at 2pm, while Beeston, runners up last year, face a home tie against Norwich.
The East Anglia side were awarded a walkover 5-0 win over Teddington in the last round, while Banbury beat Fareham in a shoot-out.
In the women’s top tier Cup, Beeston are also still in the hunt for a hat-trick of national knock-out titles after only 12 teams started out in the draw.
Surbiton 2s, who won Division One South this season, and Beeston – still threatened by relegation from the Premier Division – meet in the other semi-final.
Surbiton 2s beat last year’s finalists Guildford 4-2, while Beeston edged St Albans 2-1.
Having already sealed promotion in indoor and outdoor hockey this season, Holcombe are looking to cap off a fine season with a knock-out triumph.
Nick Bandurak’s side beat Trojans 5-2 in the first round before a 4-3 win over Wimbledon in the quarter-finals in December to set up this tie. Doncaster have progressed courtesy of byes to knock out Harrogate and Brooklands-Poynton.
Nick’s wife Emma has three goals in those two cup games and will be hoping to continue that form while Phoebe Steele will also be looking to keep her goalscoring exploits going having scored seven goals in her last nine appearances.
The finals take place at Lee Valley on May 6.
