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Watch: Notts hockey club’s final match has national title and European qualification on line

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Watch: Assistant coach and player Mark Wadsley speaks to Owen Shipton on Sports Week

A Nottinghamshire hockey club has it all to play for this weekend in their final match of the season with a national title and qualification for European competition are on the line.

Beeston Hockey Club men’s first XI currently sit top of the Premier Division by two points.

But their final game of the season is against second placed Surbiton – Wimbledon are the only other team who can win the league if they win their remaining fixtures and Beeston do not beat Surbiton.

On Sports Week, assistant coach and player Mark Wadsley said: “We’ve been in the EHL (European Hockey League) in the past but we have never managed to be where we are currently.

“It would be fantastic to get back to the top – it’s a fantastic tournament and I think speaking to the international guys, there’s a lot of pressure playing internationally but in Europe you can kind of relax a bit more.

“You can play with a bit more flair, get on the ball and have a bit more individual skill.

“It’s a really enjoyable tournament.”

The club are also sending four players to the Commonwealth Games in Australia from the mens and womens teams.

Beeston Hockey Club women’s first XI have won their league and are aiming to finish the season winning every game.

Vice-captain Issy Davison said: “We’ve taken every game as it is so we try not to get too ahead of ourselves but it would be amazing if we can make it 18 from 18 this weekend.

“Brooklands-Poynton are our opponents and we’re playing at home so it should be good.”

For more from Mark and Issy, watch the March 21 episode of Sports Week on Notts TV at 7.30pm, or see our catch up service after the show airs.

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