West Herts Hockey Club made the journey down south to Eastleigh last weekend to take part in the Division Two South group of the National Indoor Hockey Championships.

The Stags were promoted to National League status last season and were hoping to use this tournament to showcase their ability.

However, It wasn’t to be as they were defeated twice on the opening day to Southgate and Bath Buccaneers by single goal margins, the Watford side losing 7-6 and 8-7.

There was a change of fortunes on Sunday as the Stags beat Woking 10-3 and ISCA 9-6 to keep their hopes of qualifying for the next tournament alive.

They faced Holcombe in the crucial last game only needing a point to finish third in the group. They looked home and dry when leading 6-3 but lack of concentration lead to Holcombe coming back to 6-6.

But West Herts held their nerve and gained the vital point they needed. The Stags will now progress to the next round of the competition at Lilleshall on the weekend of 21st/22nd January.