Holcombe are hoping to cap a successful season with their first-ever England Hockey Championship trophy win.

Nick Bandurak’s side take on Beeston in the final at Lee Valley today (Monday).

By Lucas Ball

Bandurak’s side have beaten Trojans, Wimbledon and Doncaster to reach the final to face Beeston, who are looking for their third cup triumph in a row and fourth in five seasons following relegation from the Premier Division.

Holcombe are looking to complete a unique treble having already secured an immediate return to the Premier Division via a second-placed finish in Division One South, as well as having won promotion to the Super 6s Premier Division after winning Division One in January.

Hannah Carney, who has come through the club’s junior set-up, is expecting a good clash at the national stadium following an intense training period, saying: “I think everyone’s been really positive, especially in training, it’s been really competitive.

“We’ve been doing specific things and it’s been really well-tailored to make sure we’ve got everything we need in preparation for Monday, especially against Beeston who have just been relegated when we’ve just been promoted.

“I think both teams have a real point to prove and hopefully it’ll be a really good game.

“We had two weeks off which was good, people have been training all the way through since January so it’s been a long time.

“To have that time off was a good re-charge and then training again in the last couple of weeks has been intense and good to keep our fitness up, we’ve been training hard.

“It would be huge, especially as a bounce back from relegation last season, and to open up options for recruitment for next season.

“Obviously it’s a huge game but mentally, everyone just needs to prepare and keep everything as normal as possible to try to keep our composure for the game and hopefully come out on top with a win.”