A weekend of audacity and endeavour for St Albans Hockey Club brought promotion for the ladies’ 1st team through a stunning second placed finish at the National Division Two indoor finals at Nottingham.
Under the guiding hands of manager Dawn Forshaw and coach Steph Port, the Tangerines defeated Loughborough Students 4-3 and Stourport 10-5 on Saturday, and then Ben Rhydding 5-1 and Sevenoaks 5-3 on Sunday.
At Oaklands on Saturday, an excitable crowd roared on the St Albans men’s 1sts to a 2-1 victory over top of the table Wapping to close the gap between the sides to a single point. Turning round a 1-0 half-time deficit, Paul Cooper and Matt Davey converted penalty corners before Ian Fraser’s heroic late penalty stroke save secured the points.
There were third consecutive league victories for both the men’s and ladies’ 2nds. James Champion scored in the men’s 1-0 win over top of the table Spencer and Lexi Hamilton netted in the ladies’ 1-0 defeat of closest rivals Maidstone.
Both St Albans 1st teams sit in second place in their respective leagues and this Saturday sees the ladies at league leaders East Grinstead while the men travel to Felixstowe.
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