Neston Southport Wirral Hockey Club have clinched the title

Mar 24 2010 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

WITH other results going in their favour, Neston South Wirral finally clinched promotion to the North League as they routed Liverpool University 7-2.

Neston went into the match knowing that goal difference could be crucial in the promotion race, and were hopeful of a ten goal margin against the already relegated students.

Such targets are easier said than done however, although when Lawrence McNeight and Aled Jarvis fired Neston into a two goal lead after only five minutes, things looked rosy for the Parkgate outfit.

As has often been the case this season though, Neston let their opponents hit back with two goals of their own, including a fine effort from ex-player, Ian Pringle. Fortunately, Neston were able to continue their onslaught as Pete Glasman, Rogier Van Der Ouderaa and Dan Khedun bagged further goals before the break.

After the interval, Neston could and should have hit double figures, but they had to settle for just two, with Mark Donnelly and McNeight finding the target.

After the final whistle, news filtered through that challengers, South Cheshire, had dropped points, and many of the team were in the bar when it was discovered that Bebington had lost their late afternoon game at Bowdon, meaning that Neston were ensured of a return to the North League after an absence of ten years.

The celebrations went on long into the night, and Dutchman, Rogier Van Der Ouderaa was awarded the player of the year award in his first season back at the club.