Free scoring Bedford had a convincing passage to the final – beating Banbury, Dereham, Havering, Melton and Durham City to set up a semi-final in Sheffield against Cannock Hockey Club who have won the competition 3 times in recent years. Bedford were expecting a very tough match, with Cannock’s men playing in the top division and their women having gained promotion to National League this season. Bedford welcomed Simba Chigwada into the squad in place of the unavailable Richard Hamilton, whilst Dan Mason was also absent.

Cannock started the game very strongly and put a great deal of pressure on Simon Dolan’s goal but gradually Bedford grew in confidence and started passing the ball well with some great defensive work from man of the match Rob Tarrant alongside Paul Henwood. After Yvette Van Yperen weaved her magic in the D, Captain Alex Drummond had then chance to flick a penalty corner and he fired the ball home to put Bedford 1-0 up. Cannock responded with some fine individual skill of their own from Dave Harris to equalise however Bedford looked strong and a quick counter attack saw Matt Wilson drive the ball forward before finding Kate Costin in the D and she struck a sweet shot into the bottom corner giving Bedford a 2-1 half time lead. After the break, Bedford expected a backlash from Cannock, but instead were able to increase their lead further as the energetic Becky Childs pounced on a loose ball to lift it pass the keeper before Chigwada’s pace and pullback to Van Yperen was again emphatically finished. As Cannock threw everything forward, Simon Dolan pulled off some good saves in goal but there was also some great defensive work from the whole team expertly shielded by Emma Pinny. Cannock finished with a consolation goal (4-2) but Bedford’s great team performance deservedly saw them claim a place in the trophy final where they were to ironically face league rivals West Herts.

Dan Mason was added to the squad for Sunday’s final and with recent history on both the men’s and ladies side; a close game looked to be on the cards. Bedford however couldn’t replicate their form of the previous day and it ended up being a disappointing 7-1 defeat for the maroons. West Herts men who have won promotion to National League this season, proved the difference with some classy, individual skills and emphatic finishing despite the best efforts of Dolan, who made some outstanding saves throughout the goal. Trailing 4-0 at half time, captain Drummond called for pride to be restored and it was certainly a better second half from Bedford but they couldn’t get their passing game going and West Herts ran out worthy winners.

The one bright spot for Bedford was a first goal in the competition for Adam Priston and an equally impressive goal celebration but West Herts hammered home their advantage with further goals through an unstoppable roofed finished by Dan Webster and a contentious penalty stroke. Bedford will look to come back stronger in the competition next year and can be proud of their efforts, which has seen their highest placing to date in the England Hockey Mixed Trophy.