PENARTH'S hockey community will turn its collective attention to the Welsh Institute of Sport at Sophia Gardens this Saturday, with three teams from across the town's mens' and womens' clubs in action in their respective Welsh Cup finals.

The mens' 1st XI take on Bangor University in the Welsh Trophy at 3pm, following on from the 2nd XI's Welsh Challenge encounter with Swansea University at 10.30am and the Ladies 2nd XI's Welsh Trophy final against Cardiff University Medics at 12.45pm.

Penarth's 1st XI return to the final of a senior Welsh competition for the first time since going down 4-3 in extra time after taking a much stronger Cardiff University side to the wire in the 2011-12 Welsh Cup.

Although there have been big changes at the club in the intervening years, a core of that side remains, and will be especially keen to come out on top this weekend.

Now captain of the side, former youth prodigy Tom Haran has already guided the Bears to league championship success in the De Cymru and The Marches section of the GoCrea8 Hockey League and, along with the influx of players generated by the arrival of player-coach Ben Croxall, will lead a stronger squad against North Wales rivals Bangor University.

Goalkeeper Mark Harris returns from Welsh Masters duty to take his place between the sticks, while club stalwarts Mark Thomas, Dave Stevens, Rich Baker and Phil Lane continue to form the backbone of the squad, having progressed through the ranks alongside their captain.

With 160 goals scored in 22 league games, there is no shortage of firepower in the Penarth side, and 2015-16 returnee Laith El-Khatib - this year's top marksman and player of the year - will aim to get on the scoresheet alongside the likes of Dave Joyce, Usman Dhami, Jonny Moore and Chris Baker, the latter making a timely return from a broken hand as Penarth look to 'do the double'.

Although their season proved to be more tortuous than the senior side's, Penarth's 2nd XI mirrored their success in a landing league championship title, winning De Cymru 2 in a winner-takes-all showdown against Swansea University 'B' last month.

Since then, the side has survived a penalty shoot-out against Llandudno to take their place in the Welsh Challenge final - where they will face Swansea University 'A'.

Penarth Ladies have been Welsh finalists on a more regular basis than their male counterparts, but the 2nd XI's appearance in the Trophy Final is the club's first since the 2012-13 season.

Under new coach Dafydd Tomos, the team will be looking to cup success to ease the disappointment of missing promotion from division one of the South Wales League by a single point. Buoyed by a strong 2015-16 campaign, Penarth take on known opposition in the shape of Cardiff University Medics' 1st XI, who comfortably claimed the division one title.

Despite their underdog status, the Penarth side will bring their usual enthusiasm and squad spirit to Sophia Gardens, determined to send two key players out on a high note. Both central midfielder Olivia Hamzelou and goalkeeper Becca Egerstrom are products of the club’s youth structure but will be heading off to university ahead of next season, making the final their last appearance, for the time being at least.

The squad spirit will be particularly embodied by the presence of both Anna Carling and Amber Jones, who are forced to miss playing in the final due to injury but will be supporting the team from the sidelines after making great contributions to the campaign.

Both Penarth clubs would welcome as much support as possible during the day at Sophia Gardens. Adult tickets cost £5 on the gate, with under-16s going free.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability.

Training takes place on Wednesdays at Stanwell School, with the juniors on the pitch between 6.15pm and 7.15pm and the seniors between 7.15pm and 8.15pm.

Anyone interested in joining the club at senior or youth level can contact either player-coach Ben Croxall (b_croxall20@yahoo.co.uk) or club secretary Dave Stevens (d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk) for further information.