SWINDON’S men confirmed promotion from the GoCrea8 League Conference North division on Saturday with a game to spare after a 2-2 draw with Team Bath Buccs B.

The first 50 minutes were littered with missed opportunities and poor hockey due to the sub-zero temperatures and driving easterly wind at the Bath Spa Uni pitch.

In the final 20 minutes the game opened up, with Nat O’Dwyer scoring from close range after Tom Lentschner beat the defence.

Minutes later Tom Wickens deflected a ball home but Buccs got back into it with a scrappy goal from a controversial short corner, before scoring their equaliser.

Swindon captain Tom Goldsmith said: “It’s a relief to finally confirm promotion after a long season, we haven’t played great hockey but think the weather was the factor.’’ Swindon’s ladies have also finished in the top two of their West Clubs League Premier Division 2A and were 3-0 winners over visiting Jaspers.

The opening goal came 18 minutes in when a comedy of errors by Jaspers’ defence led to Lynsey Wall firing the ball home for Swindon.

Early on in the second half, a short corner was slipped left to Angela Cooke who crossed for a waiting Wall who deflected the ball across the line.

Julie Russell’s fine through ball to Gemma Scrase teed up Wall for her hat-trick to complete the triumph as Lucy Smale made her first-team debut.