March Hockey Club’s first team win title on dramatic last day of season
IT was last-day drama on Saturday for March Hockey Club after their first team unexpectedly clinched the league title.
City of Peterborough III’s 2-1 defeat at Cambridge City III meant a victory at Norwich Dragons would secure the championship for already-promoted March later in the day.
Vice-captain and coach Jody Betts said: “We knew we had to win to stand a chance but nobody contemplated Peterborough losing so we all got dressed up and went to Norwich in a jovial mood.
“We’d got the job done last weekend but when we found out they were losing with 10 minutes left the whole mini-bus became quite serious. When we found out they’d lost we were absolutely petrified.
“I think it showed because we were atrocious at the start and went 2-0 down. However, we eventually settled, relaxed and took control.”
Ashley Welland’s brace and goals from Rob Mitchell, David Hazelgrave and Betts clinched a 5-3 win, and the Division Two North crown, for March. They will play at their highest-ever level next season.
Betts said: “To go up as champions is the icing on the cake and we celebrated long into the night.”
