Phew - what a finish! In a quite extraordinary last session, Sutton & Cheam won men's Championship 2 at Watford today. So unexpected was the success that all their players had departed long before League President Pippa Jones was ready to present the trophy and medals!
The day began with four teams - Exeter, Penguin, Sutton and Watford - equal at the top with eight points. The drama unfolded like this:
Sutton recovered from four goals down to beat Manchester Hawks 10-9 - enough to guarantee them one of three promotion places.
Exeter then took on next-to-bottom Birmingham knowing that victory would give them the title. The pressure was too much for the Devon side - they lost 16-14.
And so to Watford's match with Penguin. This time, it was Watford who knew that victory would earn them first place. They lost 15-10.
It all meant that Sutton and London rivals Penguin finished equal top on points but, crucially, with advantage to Sutton - by virtue of a 7-6 win against Penguin at Gloucester last month after trailing 6-2 into the last period. It was that close . . . !
Sutton, now due to collect their trophy at Ponds Forge next weekend, will be joined by Penguin and Exeter in Division 2 next season. Watford, so close to success, miss out.
The day began with four teams - Exeter, Penguin, Sutton and Watford - equal at the top with eight points. The drama unfolded like this:
Sutton recovered from four goals down to beat Manchester Hawks 10-9 - enough to guarantee them one of three promotion places.
Exeter then took on next-to-bottom Birmingham knowing that victory would give them the title. The pressure was too much for the Devon side - they lost 16-14.
And so to Watford's match with Penguin. This time, it was Watford who knew that victory would earn them first place. They lost 15-10.
It all meant that Sutton and London rivals Penguin finished equal top on points but, crucially, with advantage to Sutton - by virtue of a 7-6 win against Penguin at Gloucester last month after trailing 6-2 into the last period. It was that close . . . !
Sutton, now due to collect their trophy at Ponds Forge next weekend, will be joined by Penguin and Exeter in Division 2 next season. Watford, so close to success, miss out.
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