Kerly’s strike the clincher

Canterbury made it two wins in a row in Investec National Premier Division after a 2-1 home victory over bottom side Reading.

Grace Balsdon gave the hosts the perfect start from a penalty corner on four minutes, firing high into the corner.

Knowing they needed to win to stave off the prospect of immediate relegation, Reading battled hard and upped their intensity after the break.

They were denied a penalty flick with a contentious block from a short corner by Mel Clewlow and saw another shot blocked by a sprawling Lucy Barnes and a snap-shot saved by Helen Fagg in goal.

The visitors eventually equalised with nine minutes remaining when a cross-shot from captain Emma Thomas went in via a deflection off a defender.

However, parity lasted just two minutes as the hosts produced a fine team move which was finished off from close range by skipper Sarah Kerly.

The win ensured Canterbury are all but certain to finish seventh with two games remaining.

The ladies’ 2nds secured promotion from East League Division 1 South with two games to spare after back- to- back victories in a weekend doubleheader.

They beat Crostyx 4- 0 at Polo Farm on Saturday with Alice Brett scoring a first-half double and Alice Dunn made it three with a penalty flick before Moira Clewes added a fourth.

The runners-up spot was duly sealed on Sunday with a 3-0 win against Bromley/beckenham.

The 2As were held to a 2-2 draw against Basildon in East League Division 2 South East while the 3rds were edged out 2-1 at Folkestone in Kent League Premier Division.

Despite having a bare 11 players, Sue Spight put the city club ahead but a deflection off a defender’s stick from a short corner brought the hosts level before the break and they won it with a second after half-time.

The 3As went down 8-2 to New Beccehamian in Division 1 but the over-35s returned to the last four of the National Cup with a 6-0 win against Bedford in the quarter-final.