The prize for the winners of the HA Cup Final is entry into next season's European Cup-Winners' Cup competition, writes Bill Colwill. This year, with Teddington already assured of European competition as National League champions, win or lose Guildford know they are certain of a European place next season.
Even so, tomorrow's final at Canterbury HC is likely to be a fiercely contested occasion with several players hoping that they might catch the eye of the England manager, David Whittle, who must surely be reconsidering his options for August's European Cup, following the recent disastrous tour to Australia.
Teddington, appearing in their fourth consecutive final, have an array of internationals including Jason Laslett, Simon Nicklin and Phil McGuire, plus the developing James Wallis, to interest Whittle.
Guildford's Ian Jennings will also be under scrutiny as a possible answer to England's penalty corner drought together with striker Danny Hall who many see as the long-term replacement England have craved for since the retirement of Sean Kerly.
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