IT was a weekend to remember for the Yate Hockey Women 2s as their 3-1 win at Stroud Ladies secured the title and promotion.

A Sally Thomas-Ellis brace started with an emphatic strike from a penalty corner in the first half, and was completed in the second half after an impressive run and excellent assist by Ruth Belcher.

Stroud attempted to delay promotion from Berkeley Division One, but it was a Kim Harris smash that dissipated any remaining doubt. Stroud's goal was part of a tense finish, but the team rallied - as they have done all season - to secure the win. 

Captain Chrissy Leach, interviewed after the match, said: "I’m absolutely over the moon, alongside the whole team.

"I’m an incredibly proud captain - exceptional teammates, solidarity and brilliant coaches have made it such an enjoyable season. An amazing achievement for us and the whole club!"

Vice-captain Sally Thomas-Ellis, added: "Our promotion journey started over 12 months ago when we started to realise we were building a really strong side.

"After the addition of a number of juniors this season, we managed to start strongly and found ourselves emerging as winners in games despite having to fight back from goal deficits. These battles only built our confidence and strong performances became the rule, not the exception."

Elsehwere, the Yate Women 1s edged past Chippenham. Anne Chinnick put Yate 1-0 up at half-time before Kyishia Cooke made it 2-0 in the second half. 

Chippenham did pull one back to create a tense finale but Yate held on for the crucial win.

Unfortunately for Yate Women 3s, it was not quite a winning weekend. Jessica Vale-Webb managed their only goal in a heavy 11-1 defeat at Thornbury.

Yate Men 1s suffered an agonising 6-5 defeat at the University of Bristol, whilst the 2s lost 4-1 at Bristol UWE 2s.