Bishop’s Stortford’s ladies’ first team rounded off their historic promotion-winning season in successful fashion by beating Old Loughtonians 2-1.
The hosts, who were crowned East Women’s League, Premier Division champions last week as they secured Vitality England League status for the first time in the club’s 74-year history, triumphed thanks to goals from Livvy Smerdon and Kate Robinson.
Stortford, who are waiting to hear if they will compete in Conference Midlands or East for their maiden national league campaign, finished five points clear of nearest rivals Norwich City.
With the Acolytes and seventh team also claiming the 6SE and 7SW crowns respectively, the ladies’ section has won seven league titles in the last two complete seasons.
The success has been achieved with strong leadership from the captains, quality coaching and strong partnerships with both Bishop’s Stortford College and Herts and Essex High School.
“We are creating a new plan for the next three years to build on our national league status, yet at the same time keeping the family-friendly values that we have always had,” said ladies’ club captain Richard Temple.
Stortford broke the deadlock in the second half when Smerdon tapped home at the near post after Abbie Barrett and Rowena Ricketts combined to create the opening from their sixth penalty corner.
Top scorer Barrett was also involved in the second goal, linking up with Sally Powell and Charlie Leonard before Robinson applied an emphatic finish.
The visitors claimed a consolation with the last hit while Imogen Basavaraj was player of the day.
There were further celebrations of a fantastic season as it was also the club’s President’s Day at the Herts and Essex Sports Centre.
President Bernie Cotton, the club’s honorary vice-presidents and the mayor of Stortford, Cllr Keith Warnell, got to enjoy the action at the Beldams Lane complex.
“It was an honour to be invited to President’s Day and to celebrate the [ladies’ first team’s] promotion to the National League,” said Cllr Warnell.
“It’s wonderful to see the club thriving – with members of all ages enjoying playing hockey regularly – and the club so active in getting hockey into local schools.”
Nicky Bareham hit a first-half hat-trick as Stortford II ended their 2SW season on a high by beating Letchworth II away 7-3.
She was joined on the score sheet by Michelle Titcombe-Rogers, Natasha Reid and Charlotte Range, who netted twice, as they confirmed a fourth-place finish.
Stortford III triumphed 4-1 at home to Hertford II as they narrowly missed out on promotion in 3SW by two points.
Jemma Pettit, captain Katy Motson, Lizzie Roberts and Vicky Cox got the goals, with Motson’s and Cox’s efforts coming from penalty flicks.
In the same division, the Archdeaconnesses ensured a top-half finish as Lori McLeish equalised from a penalty flick to earn a 1-1 draw at Stevenage II.
6SE champions the Acolytes were 5-0 victors at home to Upminster VI.
Beth Metson bagged a brace while there was a goal apiece for Kim Foster, Jo Hall and Mel Dummett.
There was also a 2-0 home win for 7SW champions Stortford VII over Stevenage VI as Alice Taylor and Wanatsa Dunbar found the back of the net.
In the men’s section, the first team were awarded a 5-0 walkover in East Men’s League, Division 1S as visitors Potters Bar Town conceded.
Stortford II, who had already been crowned 3SW champions, signed off with a comprehensive 11-0 home triumph over Vauxhall as Ross Butler stole the show with a superb seven-goal haul.
Harry Mckerell got a brace and there was a goal apiece for Fred Cooke and Bruce Rodda as they finished nine points clear of their closest rivals and with an impressive +52 goal difference.
In the same division, Stortford III secured safety with a 6-0 win at Shefford & Sandy II as Nash hit a hat-trick and Tomlin, Warnes and Watts also notched.
James Nash got a consolation as Stortford V lost 2-1 to St Albans VIII as their promotion hopes were dashed in 6SW, but Stortford VI enjoyed an 8-1 success against Cambridge South.
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