Harleston Magpies Hockey Club’s pride as second female team promoted to National League while Men’s I face nervous final day survival test against Repton

Harleston Magpies could be about to lose an England Hockey National League side at the same time as gaining a second female one.

While Mark Flatman’s Men’s I side head into Sunday’s final round showdown with champions Repton I at The Nest (2pm) with their Men's Conference Midlands status relying on victory and another result falling their way, the Ladies’ II have already got over the line with an historic and ‘proud’ promotion.

Mel Vincent’s side head to Broxbourne I tomorrow with the East Women’s League Premier Division title having been sewn up a few weeks back.

Saturday’s 1-0 home win against mid-table Bury St Edmunds I left them with an eight-point gap from Cambridge City II, having only lost one of their 15 matches this season, drawing five.

It will see the Charlie Harrison-captained team enter the National League Conference, one level below Magpies Ladies’ I who compete in the second-tier Division 1 South.

A club spokesperson said: “This success is a proud moment for Harleston Magpies Hockey Club, becoming just the 11th club in England and Wales to have two women’s National League teams, a remarkable achievement by such a rural club.

“With a number of players from the two teams leaving for university, the challenge for next season will be to maintain this enviable position.”

The Ladies’ I are just completing their 26th consecutive season in the National League and, following a 3-0 victory at home to lowly Bristol Firebrands I on Saturday, head to champions Barnes I tomorrow (2pm) looking to hold onto third place with a trio of sides separated by just one point.

The Men’s I take on already-crowned champions Repton I on Sunday in the last of the two relegation spots and just one point from third-bottom University of Birmingham I following their 3-3 draw at home to Barford Tigers at the weekend.

But having lost 5-3 in Birmingham the Sunday prior to that, they go into their final fixture needing to better the student’s points total from their match at a Chelmsford I side looking to hold onto second place.

However, Magpies could still finish bottom of the pile with Cambridge City I just one point behind them, despite the Norfolk side having picked up seven points from their last four games.