MARCH Hockey Club created history on Saturday after their first team clinched promotion with one game to spare.

March secured at least second place in Division Two North by beating Ely 3-1 while third-placed Norwich City II could only draw 2-2 at Harleston Magpies.

As a result March opened up a four-point gap over Norwich with just one game left and will now play at their highest-ever level - Division One North - next season.

Vice-captain and coach Jody Betts said: “Creating history is an honour for all of us.

“We’ve had a couple of narrow misses in the past few years but our aim at the start of the season was to get promoted and we’ve done exactly that.

“It’s fantastic for the club for us to go up but we all deserve it because our commitment to training twice a week since August has been exemplary.

“There have been a couple of wobbles along the way but our team spirit has enabled us to pull through.”

Goals from centre-forward Betts, Scott Welcher and David Hodson clinched their side’s historic feat. March can still clinch the title if City of Peterborough III lose at Cambridge City III tomorrow and March beat Norwich Dragons.

Betts, 37, said: “Being promoted as champions would really be the icing on the cake.

“We’ve grown as a team this year but recruiting Ed Batt has been vital for us. He’s been a real catalyst in the side and he has driven us on in every game.

“We’ve got six players under the age of 22 in our side so it’ll be a real experience for them next season. Going up will be a fresh challenge for all of us.”