Despite a pulsating comeback from Canterbury’s men, they suffered Wembley heartbreak in the England Hockey 5s Indoor Championships for the second straight year on Sunday.

Despite having more possession, more shots, more circle entries and more short corners in the final, Canterbury were unable to avoid a 6-5 defeat at the hands of East Grinstead, who recorded an historic seventh-straight title.

Niall Stott put EGs ahead from a penalty corner after just four minutes and although Harry Jawanda levelled from a set-piece on 10 minutes, Andy Bull restored the Sussex side’s lead within 60 seconds.

Stott and Chris Griffiths made it 4-2 with two goals in as many minutes at the start of the second half, and though Jawanda struck on 25 minutes, two minutes later it was 6-2 with Griffiths completing his hat-trick.

Wei Adams pulled one back 11 minutes from time and Tom Richford made it 6-4 two minutes later and after waves of pressure, Kwan Browne, named the MVP of the finals, brought Canterbury within a goal with a penalty corner conversion with two minutes to play, having already withdrawn their keeper for an outfield player.

In the end however Canterbury could not prevent EGs claiming a seventh consecutive title and claiming the place in Europe.

East Grinstead had overcome Reading 7-5 in the last four, with Canterbury joining them in the showpiece after a stunning last-second win over Kent rivals Sevenoaks.

Chris Barker put Oaks ahead inside a minute, but Liam Foster soon had Canterbury on terms and Wei Adams made it 2-1, and though Mike Holland restored parity, Ben Allberry made it 3-2 before the break.

Barker’s second levelled it again after the break but although Adams made it 4-3 on 24 minutes, George Torry bagged a brace inside a minute to put Oaks ahead for the first time.

Allberry however made it 5-5 with 10 minutes to play before Foster struck with a second remaining on the clock to spark wild celebrations among the travelling fans in green and white.