Champions chalk up a big win

Herne Bay hockey

Champions Herne Bay cruised to an 8-1 win at Burnt Ash in their penultimate Kent Open Premier B match. Sam Thompson scored four with Paul Mcvey, Craig Dale, Peter Nash and Lee Gardener completing the haul. Bay 3rds claimed the Division 1 title with a 4-2 win at Gillingham Anchorians, secured with all four goals from James Nash. Bay needed just a point to secure top spot but made sure with all three in their penultimate game. The 4ths finished third in Division 4 after losing their final game of the season at Ashford 6ths. Jay Newell put the visitors ahead five minutes before the break and James Wigington made it 2-0 shortly after half-time but four goals in a 15-minute burst turned the game as Bay tired. Bay ladies’ 2nds ensured a dramatic point at home to rivals Marden Russets 2nds to ensure runnersup spot in Kent League Division 4 and promotion Bay needed a point in their penultimate game to deny their visitors second spot but fell behind early on, only to hit back to lead 2-1 through Libby Fielder and Gemma Cathcart. Russets levelled and although Corey Devonport-hawkes made it 3-2, the visitors went into half-time with a 4-3 lead. After the break, Fielder bagged two goals in a 10-minute spell to complete her hat-trick and put Bay ahead. Russets equalised with 15 minutes to go but neither side could find an 11th goal of the game and Bay held on to the point. The following day, Bay eased to a 6-0 win at King’s & Alleyn’s 3rds in their final game, with Amber Potter and Cathcart getting two each and Fielder and Lucy Hayward one each. The 3rds ensured they finished as Division 5 champions with a 3-0 success against Meopham 2nds. After an edgy firsthalf which ended goalless, Hannah Evans eased Bay nerves with the opener before Sarah Howard and Georgia Taylor made the points safe. It was the first season Bay had fielded a 3rds side in more than 25 years and they finished top.