St Albans Hockey Club’s ladies team won promotion after finishing second at the National Division Two indoor finals at Nottingham at the weekend.

Under the guidance of manager Dawn Forshaw and coach Steph Port, the Tangerines defeated Loughborough Students 4-3 and Stourport 10-5 on Saturday.

The side followed this up on Sunday by defeating Ben Rhydding 5-1 and Sevenoaks 5-3.

The men’s team also had a successful weekend after a 2-1 victory at Oaklands against top of the table Wapping.

The win helped the side close the gap between the sides to just one point.

The hosts turned around a 1-0 half-time deficit as Paul Cooper and Matt Davey converted penalty corners before Ian Fraser’s heroic late penalty stroke save secured the points.

There were third consecutive league victories for both the men’s and ladies’ Seconds teams. James Champion scored in the men’s 1-0 win over top of the table Spencer and Lexi Hamilton netted in the ladies’ 1-0 defeat of closest rivals Maidstone.

Both St Albans First teams sit in second place in their respective leagues and this Saturday sees the ladies visit league leaders East Grinstead while the men travel to Felixstowe.