Beeston will be aiming for a Cup double after both men’s and women’s Bees came through their semi-finals to reach May’s title match.
Beeston men, the 2020 winners and last year’s runners-up, saw off Norwich City 5-3 in Nottingham and will face surprise finalists Banbury, who beat Old Georgians by the same scoreline.
The Bees have now reached the men’s final four times in the last seven editions and will be joined by the women, who will be bidding for a hat-trick of T1 Championship titles in England Hockey’s premier knock-out.
Beeston, playing a day after being relegated from the Premier Division, beat Surbiton 2s by a 7-2 scoreline at the weekend, with Lucy Millington netting a hat-trick.
They will play Holcombe, who reached the May 6 final for the first time after beating Conference Midlands side Doncaster 4-0.
Goals from Deanna Ritchie (2), Bethan Hodges and Hannah Carney saw Nick Bandurak’s side past third-tier Doncaster.
The two sides met once last season in Phase One of the Premier Division season, with Beeston running out 3-1 winners at Holcombe Park.
We at Banbury HC are looking forward to this. We did win the T2 cup 2 years ago and missed out on promotion on goal difference but were promoted the following season with 4 games left to play and did consolidate ourselves well in the midlands conference this season. We were pleased to overcome OGs at their home ground to get to the T1 cup final. It’s been an exciting time for us over the last 3 seasons.
There is a story about Banbury too 😊
Great stuff Banbury! This is precisely why the cup competition should be fully supported by England Hockey. A wonderful competition that is good for so many!! Good luck to you!
I fully agree – remembering that Beeston got their first chance to play in Europe through the cup competition…
PS. I am Beeston through and through but any club that enters this wonderful competition gets my support! 😎🐝🏑👍