Canterbury kick off their NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League Premier Division season against Champions Beeston on Saturday.
Fifth last season, Canterbury are aiming to step up into the play-off zone this term, and have signed a trio of foreign stars to help them make that jump with French international defender Stephane Panigoni, French goalkeeper Edgar Reynaud and Spanish defender Juan Martinez Penalver all making the move.
Beeston have also signed some internationals with Scotland goalkeeper Jamie Cachia and England Under-21 James Gall moving from Sheffield Hallam and Surbiton respectively, but they have lost England and GB goalkeeper George Pinner to Holcombe.
“Pre-season started early this year because people were keen to keep the momentum after the success last year,” said Beeston skipper Adam Dixon.
“We’ve kept ticking over and it has gone well. It’s all about Canterbury at home in the first game, though. As long as we have everyone fit which was a problem last year, we’ll be there or thereabouts come playoffs.”
Meanwhile, Holcombe entertain Old Loughtonians in the Conference East with Bromley and Beckenham starting away from home at Teddington.
In the Investec Premier Division, Canterbury Ladies make the trip to Beeston, whilst Holcombe Ladies entertain Bowdon Hightown following their promotion to the top tier of English Hockey.
The Investec Conference East sees Sevenoaks entertain East Grinstead with the game to get underway at midday on Saturday.
Saturday, September 13 2014
NOW: Pensions Men’s Premier Division
Hampstead and Westminster v Wimbledon 15:00
Beeston v Canterbury 16:00
Surbiton v Reading 16:30
Brooklands MU v Southgate 13:30
Cannock v East Grinstead 18:00
NOW: Pensions Men’s Conference East
Teddington v Bromley and Beckenham 13:45
Brighton and Hove v Chichester Priory Park 16:00
Oxted v Richmond 17:00
Holcombe v Old Loughtonians 18:00
Investec Women’s Hockey League (Saturday, September 13 2014)
Investec Premier Division
Clifton v Buckingham 13:00
Beeston v Canterbury 14:00
Holcombe v Bowdon Hightown 14:00
Surbiton v Reading 14:00
University of Birmingham v Leicester 14:30
Investec Conference East
Sevenoaks v East Grinstead 12:00
Bedford v Horsham 13:00
Maidenhead v Harleston Magpies 13:00
Chelmsford v St. Albans 14:00
Wimbledon v Ipswich 14:00
Picture supplied by www.sarahansellphotography.com