There were mixed fortunes for Kent sides in the England Hockey Championship play-offs at the Lee Valley Olympic Park at the weekend.

Canterbury Ladies suffered defeat in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Championship Final against Surbiton for the third straight year, losing 3-1 on penalties on Sunday evening after a 0-0 draw which they edged.

Former Polo Farm keeper Abi Walker was the hero for her new side, saving three times in the shootout, having ensured the game went that far with a superb late save.

City club stopper Helen Fagg denied Naomi Evans’ and Sarah Haycroft’s efforts to begin the shootout, however Line Malan, Sarah Kerly and Dirkie Chamberlain were denied by her opposite number as the Surrey side finished the season unbeaten.

One consolation for Canterbury was the fact they earned the second spot in Europe next season, alongside Surbiton, by virtue of their 6-0 win over the University of Birmingham in Saturday’s semi-final.

Chamberlain helped herself to a hat-trick as Canterbury ran riot with other goals from Jen Wilson, Mel Clewlow and Susannah Townsend.

Surbiton had ended Holcombe’s challenge the previous day in their semi-final.

Giselle Ansley and Olivia Chilton scored once in each half as Holcombe’s first Championship appearance ended on a low note.

Holcombe’s men also saw their first crack at Championship glory fall short as they were on the end of a shock defeat against Wimbledon.

The Premier Division table-toppers lost 3-2, having trailed 2-0 after just six miinutes.

Ashley Jackson pulled one back 14 minutes later but Wimbledon made it 3-1 before Jackson got his second with 14 minutes left to set up a grandstand finale.

Wimbledon went on to beat Reading in a shootout in Sunday’s final.

Canterbury’s men completed their Great Escape from relegation for the second straight year after defeating Loughborough on Sunday.

Having previously beaten Richmond and losing to Cardiff on Saturday, Canterbury were endebted to a double from Craig Boyne in the final 10 minutes to see-off the Students.

James Spain and Kwan Browne were also on target as the city club maintained their top-flight status having taken one point from their opening 11 games of the regular season.