Newark 2nd XI join first team

The Newark Hockey Club ladies 2nd XI will play in the Notts Premier League next season, alongside the club’s first team, after clinching promotion in their final game.

After reaching the Notts First Division last term, the target was for mid-table security but a 6-0 win at Southwell Brincliffe United 3rds secured a second successive promotion.

Even though they were up against bottom of the table opposition, the tension still ran high for the visitors, and it took them ten minutes to break the deadlock through captain Katherine Hawkins.

But from that point on the result was never in doubt, and more goals followed from Ann Crockett-McLean (2) and Trish Trafford before the break.

Newark kept up their relentless pace in the second half and were soon rewarded with a fifth goal from Ann Crockett-McLean to complete her hat trick before Sacha Smith managed to convert the final goal in the last moments of the match.

Newark ladies 1st XI travelled to league leaders West Bridgford Monarchs, where they shared the spoils with their hosts in a 1-1 draw.

Emma Sanders broke the deadlock on 50 minutes after a breathtaking run by Hannah Coe, but the home side restored parity eight minutes later with un-stoppable penalty corner.