STOURPORT Hockey Club's Men's team are celebrating after earning promotion to the Midlands Premier.

The Wyre Forest side were crowned champions in Division One after beating Old Halesonians 4-1 on Saturday.

Stourport had won 16 of their league games and drew three, with just one defeat.

The hard work of coaching team Kali Takher, Pete Terry and Paul Edwards to rebuild the side after they tumbled out of the National Leagues has paid off.

Former first team stalwart Phil Lashford said: “The club decided to take the team a bit more seriously and it has paid off.

“The coaching has improved the players, and I am confident that as long as this team stays together, it can more than hold their own in the Midlands Premier.”

The Ladies first team also had a strong end to the season after ensuring a fourth season in the National League.

A 4-4 draw against Trojans ensure Stourport finished in seventh and away from the relegation zone.

The Ladies endured a testing start to the season because of injuries to team members, and tough fixtures, but after not winning a game in their first eight matches, they started to build a good run as the season progressed.

Lashford, who coaches the team, said: “A host of problems conspired against us at the start of the season.

“We had players injured and played the top four sides at the start.

“But Once we got players back, we were able to build some continuity and start getting results.

“We are up against sides who have much better catchment areas for hockey but we played to our strengths and competed. It is a huge achievement to make it three seasons at the national level.”

Meanwhile, Stourport booked their place in the over-50s semi-finals with a 5-0 win over Chelmsford.

Goals for Paul Devey (3), Steve Li and David Knott, who is also England Masters International captain, made sure Stourport cruised into the last four.