STOURPORT Veterans were unable to secure victory in the English Hockey Association National Veterans Cup final against Canterbury.

At full time it was 2-2 but Canterbury won 4-3 on penalties.

Canterbury made the final by default after losing to Hayes in the semi-final, who were subsequently disqualified for fielding ineligible players.

Stourport had made the best possible preparations for the final, undertaking a series of warm-up matches and training. They went into the game as favourites despite Canterbury having four former internationals to Stourport's two.

The game was evenly balanced with Canterbury drawing on their experience as beaten finalists for the past two years, and it was they who got off to the better start with former Great Britain player Roly Brookeman scoring after six minutes.

However, once Stourport settled into their stride the balance of play reversed and having squandered a couple of short corner chances of their own, David Knott scored with a drag flick after 20 minutes.

Knott had the chance to take his tally for the season to 99 goals when the umpire awarded a penalty stroke but he failed to find the usual power and the keeper saved.

In the second half Canterbury had a period of pressure which led to a penalty stroke award at the other end, and Olympic gold medallist Sean Kerly made no mistake.

If Canterbury thought they could play out the game they were unaware of the commitment of the Stourport men led by man-of-the-match Robin Conway who took the game to the opposition supported by midfielders Steve Taylor and Bruce Baron. With a quarter of an hour remaining Knott scored the equaliser from a short corner.

With both teams playing exceptionally well Stourport had the better of the chances but were unable to finish.

Neil Stone and Godfrey Lamb at the back for Stourport ensured there would be no further goals. And so it was that the game had to be decided on penalty strokes.

Keeper Keith Wills one of Stourport's most reliable players was able to save one of the Canterbury strokes but on the day luck turned against the Stourport stroke takers and two were saved.