Canterbury Ladies snatched the EHL Women's Indoor League title after an exciting climax at Whitgift School on Sunday.

Only goal difference separated them from Slough and Olton and West Warwicks, after they swept to victories in all four of their matches in the second round.

After losing two of their four opening round matches last month Canterbury had begun the second round as title outsiders but impressive victories over Liverpool Sefton (7-3), Bowdown Hightown (6-4), Olton (7-1) and Clifton (9-2) saw them pip Slough by just one goal.

The club now go forward to finals night at National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, on Sunday, January 25 with the winners qualifying for Europe.

Mel Clewlow admitted the team's success had come as a big surprise. She said: "It was a massive turn-up and no-one was more surprised than us. Our main aim before the weekend was just to make sure we qualified for finals night but when Hightown beat Slough 3-2 we suddenly realised we could win it."

Canterbury will play Hightown in the semi-finals at Birmingham, with Slough taking on Olton.

Canterbury's men suffered a torrid time at Tonbridge, and were relegated from the Premier Division after losing all four matches, against Beeston, Bournville, Havant and Reading.

They finished the campaign without a point and conceded 78 goals but there were encouraging performances, most notably from Michael Farrer and Jess Dowsing.