Mel Clewlow admits she is still in shock that Canterbury Ladies are in the English Hockey League Championship play-offs this weekend.

They meet University of Birmingham at Edgbaston on Saturday (12.30pm), with the winners facing a trip to champions Leicester the following day. The victors there go forward to face either Reading or Slough in the play-off final at Cannock on Saturday week, with a place in Europe next season the prize.

Player-coach Clewlow said: "We are still shocked we are there and only squeezed in because Trojans surprisingly beat Olton and West Warwicks on the last day. It was bizarre and somebody ‘up there’ was wearing green and white then.

"Winning three games is a tough ask but when Leicester beat us 2-1 at Polo Farm on the same day, they thought it was job done and we were out of the running.

"I’m not convinced they will want to play us because we are one team who can do some damage against them."

Canterbury have to get past the students first but have beaten them twice in the league already this season – 2-1 at home and 6-2 away.

Suzie Rowe misses out on Saturday, due to England cricket commitments, but should be available on Sunday if Canterbury get through.