Harleston Magpies 7 Wisbech Town 1

NE14Hockey East Men's League

Premier Division

Harleston Magpies 7 Wisbech Town 1

HARLESTON Magpies Men's 1st XI, sponsored by Hunton Legg, clinched a second consecutive NE14 East Premier A League title, winning emphatically against an up and coming Wisbech side.

Magpies came into the match knowing that a win would give them the title, and a confident start showed the large home support that they were to do just that.

Magpies went ahead early with a routine penalty corner strike from Andy Hipwell. Tristan Baynes added a second with a trademark finish from the top of the D.

Magpies continued to add pressure with numerous high quality attacks, which unfortunately came to no avail. The score remained 2-0 at half time.

The second half continued where the first stopped with further goals coming from another Hipwell short corner and a quick-fire brace from Chris Barber.

The experienced Neil Toulson got his name on the score sheet when he smashed a loose ball home from close range. James Fanger also tapped home from short range after a cutting ball in from captain Leigh Sitch took a deflection from Toulson to hit the bar and subsequently fall at Fanger's feet for an easy finish.

Wisbech managed to get one back through an impressive short corner strike.

This did not faze the ever-impressive defence, which included the talisman Andrew Bedwell who made his come back from injury to guide the team to the league victory.

The victory means that after a lengthy absence, Harleston Magpies gain promotion back to the National Hockey League.