Fareham won three of their five South Division 2 matches at Fleming Park to clinch promotion in England Hockey’s Super Sixes indoor tournament.
Wins over Ashford (6-4), Teddington (11-5) and Cheltenham (7-5) earned Fareham the runners-up spot and a ticket into National League at the West of England University complex at Bristol on Saturday week, writes Mike Vimpany.
Ben Hibberd led the goal-scoring for Fareham, whose solitary defeat was inflicted by Indian Gymkhana (6-8), while they drew their final game 6-all against Devonians, Ashmoor.
“The main focus was to qualify for National Division 1,” emphasised player/coach Ben Barnes.
“At times we played some very good hockey. The only things that let us down was a sharpness mentally at times and a need to stay focussed, but with this being our first competitive weekend it was never going to be perfect but we did enough to get through.
“We could have scored more penalty corners, so we will work on that area.”
The only downside to Fareham’s success was an injury to second team goalkeeper Rory Kemp, who was taken to hospital with neck and back injuries after colliding with a Teddington player.
Kemp spent two days in Southampton General Hospital.
“Ed Heathcock took over the goalkeeping duties and played well,” Barnes added.
“The good thing we have now is two strong five-field team rotations to maintain the intensity.
“Going into the next round that will be a really important factor in looking to come in the top two at that tournament and go up to play the big boys.”