Swindon ladies clinched the Premier 2A Division title and with it promotion to the West Club’s Women’s League top flight.

They sealed the deal with a 1-0 win over Cheltenham, which gave Swindon an unassailable 13-point at the top with four games to go.

As with recent weeks they started by far the stronger team as both sides showed their attacking prowess.

Cheltenham seemed happy to sit back and take the pressure which made it difficult for Swindon to penetrate their D, failing to earn so much as a short corner for all their pressure.

The hosts did have a couple of breaks just before half-time, catching Swindon off guard, but good goalkeeping from Alexis Hogarth, plus clearances from the line from Linda Brouwers and Angela Cooke kept the scores level.

The second period was more challenging as within a few minutes of the restart Brouwers was forced off with injury, being replaced by Charlie Watson.

Nevertheless, Swindon fought gallantly through their challenge.

They went ahead when a great team goal started from a Watson long corner which found Chloe Lewis and Adriana Boullosa in turn before player of the match Gemma Scrase slotted home with plenty of time and space to work with.

Despite giving away a number of short corners late on, Swindon’s defence held strong to secure the win.

As results across the league went their way, notably Yate falling to defeat, Swindon’s top spot was won for good.

Elsewhere it was not such a good day for the ladies’ 2nds, who lost 7-0 to Team Bath Buccaneers 4ths.

MEN’S HOCKEY

The men’s 1sts took another step towards their own promotion hopes with a 5-3 win away at West Wilts.

Swindon started well, dominating the early plays with Tom Wickens creating good opportunities and winning short corners.

The first goal came inside the five minutes from a short corner. Wickens injected and Rob Riddell controlled at the top, firing beyond the keeper.

Swindon then conceded a sloppy goal from open play before a short corner was wrongly awarded against James Lewis, which Wilts also converted to turn the match on its head.

The visitors regrouped and stepped through the gears. Good play down the Swindon right saw Tom Goldsmith race into the circle, playing the ball into Phil Scarisbrick, who expertly finished to level.

Minutes later, Swindon restored their lead with another short corner as Chris Parsons found Goldsmith on the back post for a tap-in.

The second half saw the visitors continue to dominate and limit West Wilts to just a handful of chances.

Aidan Bramwell, who earned man of the match honours after the final whistle, and James Young provided good performances in midfield alongside Luke Cejer.

Swindon were rewarded with a fourth goal from Wickens with a first-time slapped finish at a short corner.

There was more still to come as Dave Miles’ fine pass was deflected in by Young.

Not be overawed though, West Wilts would nab an extra consolation from a corner for the last of the eight goals on the afternoon.

This weekend sees the 1sts face a promotion showdown with Gloucester City.

Victory will complete their promotion to the Verde Recreo League top flight, matching the ladies’ achievements.

Meanwhile, the men’s 2nds overcame Clifton Robinsons in a 4-3 thriller in the Central 2 division, Dan Hindon deflecting in a Seb Sweeting drive to win it.

However, the 3rds slipped to a 6-0 loss at home to Royal Wootton Bassett.