Slazenger National League
Canterbury 3 Chelmsford 3
Canterbury will look back on this result as 2 points dropped after allowing Chelmsford to come back to snatch a point at Polo Farm on Saturday. With both sides able to play their Internationals possibly for the last time this season it was a lively encounter with Jen Wilson getting Canterbury's opener on 27 minutes with a cool finish after good work from Hayley Brown and Jen Milne. However it took Chelmsford just two minutes to get back on level terms from a well worked free hit just outside of the Canterbury circle, with Jessica Chad getting the all important deflection from the free hit.
Canterbury still went into the half time break in the lead thanks to a last minute goal from Jo Bryant netting at the far post from Susie Townsends cross. The second half saw Canterbury extend their lead on 54 minutes when they were awarded a penalty stroke after Mel Clewlow's strike at he penalty corner was illegally stopped by a Chelmsford defender on the line. From the stroke Natasha Brennan wrong footed England keeper Katy Roberts to give Canterbury a two goal cushion.
Canterbury were in control but continued their attacking play when perhaps they should have shut up shop. Then on 60 minutes the game changed with a knee injury to coach Mel Clewlow which required her to be substituted. Without Clewlow's presence and still angered by the penalty decision this gave Chelmsford renewed heart and they won a penalty corner on 62 minutes which was converted by Tracey Willmore from a straight strike.
Then with just 2 minutes on the clock Chelmsford made good progress down their left side with their cross finding Kate Sharland on the far post to tap in the easiest of equalisers to ensure points were shared.
Canterbury are away next week to champions Leicester with both sides having their international players unavailable.
Squad : Duggan , Wiles, Wilson, Brown C, Brown H, Milne, Stewart, Kemsley, Brennan, Seymour, Bryant, Chapman, Townsend, Kerly, Clewlow.