Bishop’s Stortford IV beat Bedford V 5-1 to clinch East Men’s Hockey League, Division 5SW title on goal difference

Bishop’s Stortford IV beat Bedford V 5-1 at home as they clinched the East Men’s League, Division 5SW title on goal difference.

They ended the season level on 51 points with Luton Town II, but their goal difference was superior by 16.

In the same division, the sixth-placed fifth team lost 2-1 at St Albans VI.

The third team claimed a vital 2-0 victory at relegation rivals Royston as they secured 2SW safety.

Jake Anders opened the scoring early on before Luke Farmer doubled the lead after the interval.

In the same division, the second team signed off with a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of their Hertford counterparts.

Tom Nash scored with a powerful strike as the sixth-placed side’s leading scorer upped his tally for the season to 13.

The first team ended their Premier Division campaign in seventh place after bringing the curtain down with a 1-1 draw at Blueharts.

A piece of brilliance from Rich Heywood saw him tee up Andy Round for the opening goal, but the hosts equalised after the break.

Ross Hobson was named player of the match for the sixth team as they lost 2-0 at home to champions Shefford & Sandy IV in 7SW.

They gave everything against the side that clinched the league title on the day and Geoff Wheeldon made some great saves.