HARINGEY Greyhounds lifted the Southern League play-off title on Sunday after their fifth successive play-off win. A hat-trick from Scott Cannam gave the Hounds victory over Oxford and booked their place in the national final

Oxford 3

Haringey Greyhounds 5

HARINGEY Greyhounds lifted the Southern League play-off title on Sunday after their fifth successive play-off win.

A hat-trick from Scott Cannam gave the Hounds victory over Oxford and booked their place in the national final in Coventry for the first time in six years.

"It's brilliant - but it hasn't sunk in," said Hounds player Jan Bestic this week.

"I'm proud of everyone, from the players right through to the management.

"The last few years we've always collapsed when we've gone behind. But this is a team that fights back in every game. We're so hard to beat."

Haringey fell behind 2-1 in the opening period against Oxford, with Cannam grabbing his first strike of the match.

Ricky Rutherford equalised in the second period before Cannam grabbed his second at the start of the third period.

Rob Johnson scored a stunning effort to give the Hounds a two-goal advantage and the game was duly wrapped up by Cannam's third goal.

"Rob came down from nowhere and took a slap-shot which flew in off the crossbar," said Bestic.

"Every team has their star and Scott Cannam has been ours, but I think we are a team of stars.

"When it comes to the final we are hoping there will be some other heroes on the day.

"It will be a surreal experience - it is such a big platform and a big crowd at Coventry.

"We're on a high and I have every confidence in our chances."

The Hounds are likely to face either Whitley or Sheffield - the front runners in the northern play-offs which have still to be played. The national final takes place at Sky Dome on Sunday April 15.

Before that the Hounds face Invicta in a somewhat meaningless last play-off match.

jonny.weeks@hamhigh.co.uk