HOCKEY: STOURPORT have been promoted to the English Indoor Hockey League Premier Division after finishing runners-up to Canterbury.

But they had to wait until the last moment at Cocks Moor Woods despite being unbeaten and leading Division One before the weekend.

Their 7-6 victory, thanks to Phil Lashford and the prolific Shilen Tanna, over relegated Firebrands booked them the place in the final match.

Stourport earlier drew 5-5 with Chelmsford with goals from David Knott (two) and Shilen Tanna.

Playing at Cocks Moor Woods at the weekend, Stourport drew 5-5 with Chelmsford after being 3-0 ahead in the first 14 minutes through David Knott (two) and Tanna (three).

But a 6-4 defeat to Surbiton followed despite strikes from David Tuckett-Good (two) and Tanna (two).

Knott (two) and Tanna (two) were on the scoresheet in a 9-4 defeat to champions Canterbury.

But Stourport grabbed the vital victory over Firebrands thanks to Lashford's four goals in five minutes and a hat-trick from Tanna.

Worcester 6ths 0 Stourport 5ths 3

Stourport resumed their league programme and squandered early chances for Bedford and Ade Moulam.

Captain Andy Moulam limped off with a calf strain after 15 minutes, giving Alan Henderson a chance to impress, but the teams turned round 0-0.

The visitors took the lead after Bedford inter-changed with Ade Moulam who slotted the ball home.

Moments later, another exchange between the two players ended with Bedford scoring and he added another in the dying moments.

Droitwich Ladies 1sts 8

Stourport Ladies 2nds 0

The home side were the faster and scored four in each half of the friendly despite some good saves by the Stourport keeper.

In the second half, Katie Pryce and Kerry Maughan, with an injured hand, worked hard and Chris Jenks stopped two of short corners on the line.

Stourport Ladies 3rds 2 Studley 1

Stourport had 80 per cent of the possession and deserved a higher margin of victory.

They used both wings well, putting their visitors under pressure throughout, and went ahead on 17 minutes.

Rosie Williams ran on to a pass from Whitehouse and crossed it for Emily Morely to sweep into the open goal.

Studley fought back to level the scores from a long corner before the interval.

After the break, Stourport pushed forward and secured victory with two minutes left.

Sara Jennings supplied Morely down the wing and she moved it to Lucy Gay who drew the keeper off her line to let Williams in for a much deserved goal.

Fixtures, Saturday, Men: 2nds v Harborne (2.30pm), Edgbaston v 3rds (noon), 4ths v Harborne (1.30pm), 5ths v Edgbaston (3pm). Ladies: 1sts v Bloxwich (1pm), Leominster v 2nds, 3rds v Great Alne (noon).