Reading men’s team manager Chris Davey believes this coming weekend will go a long way towards deciding whether his side will qualify for the play-offs or miss out, writes Dave Wright.

Lying seventh in the table, they face home matches against sixth-placed East Grinstead on Saturday (6.30pm) and fifth-placed Beeston on Sunday (2.30pm).

Of the trio, Blues have most to do as they are nine points behind Hampstead & Westminster, who currently occupy fourth spot.

“It is a make or break weekend for us as two wins would keep us in with a chance of a top-four finish,” admitted Davey.

Blues will be hoping to field a stronger squad than they did when winning 2-1 at relegation-threatened Canterbury last Saturday.

Jonny Gooch, Jimmy Carson and Rhys Doherty were all training with the Wales squad while Ciaran O’Connell was injured.

But there was a return for former England international Jonty Clarke, his first game for several months.

Skipper Tom Carson and Monty Jefferson also suffered knocks in the first half from a fairly physical Canterbury defence, keeping physio Jacky Davy busier than usual.

But, in a fast and furious game, Blues played the better hockey and had most of the game although the home side did look dangerous on the counter-attack.

Reading missed chances before Carson found the roof of the net in the 33rd minute to give his side the lead.

Blues doubled their advantage through Ben Boon after 44 minutes as they got on top in the second half.

But Canterbury did not give up and Joshua Pollard halved their deficit on 54 minutes to set up a tense finish.

Reading also lost the kingpin of their defence Richard Mantell, who was yellow carded for a strong challenge two minutes from time.

“That was ironic as they (Canterbury) had been making those sort of challenges all game,” said Davey.

“We hung on to get the points and, with both Brooklands and Loughborough losing again, that virtually ends any worry about relegation.

“It leaves us to focus on a push to move up the table.”

For Reading women, however, relegation is looming even more after their goalless draw at fellow strugglers Bowdon Hightown.

Winless Blues, with just two points, trail Bowdon by six points and third-bottom Slough by eight points with all three sides having five games left to play.

This Saturday (1.30pm) Mike Irving’s side are home to fourth-placed Clifton Robinsons, which means a return to Sonning Lane for former Blues goalkeeper Sarah Ellis.

Reading Under-18 girls are through to the semi-finals of the England Cup at their age level.