Congratulations Caledonia! Against all the odds, the battling Scots emerged as champions of men's Championship 1 after pulling off a stunning trio of victories at Swansea.
Caledonia had started the weekend in third place behind City of Sheffield and Solihull. And even with day one successes against Croydon Amphibians and Team Northumbria under their belts, they were still by no means rated favourites for the title.
Surely, Sheffield or Solihull would achieve the win they needed to finish top of the pile? It didn't happen - Sheffield fluffed their lines against Team Northumbria, crashing to a 14-7 defeat. Then it all came down to Caledonia's finale against Solihull . . . a thriller from start to finish.
Caledonia had started the weekend in third place behind City of Sheffield and Solihull. And even with day one successes against Croydon Amphibians and Team Northumbria under their belts, they were still by no means rated favourites for the title.
Surely, Sheffield or Solihull would achieve the win they needed to finish top of the pile? It didn't happen - Sheffield fluffed their lines against Team Northumbria, crashing to a 14-7 defeat. Then it all came down to Caledonia's finale against Solihull . . . a thriller from start to finish.
Caledonia held a narrow lead for much of the game but were pegged back to 10-9 when Jordan Elliot scored for Solihull at the start of the fourth period. Mark Speed and Chris Campbell responded - both man-up goals - but the Midlanders hit back again to trail 12-11 with goals by Elliot and Sam Bennett. It was all settled 90 seconds from the end - Solihull suffered another exclusion and this time Darren Campbell converted to clinch a 13-11 victory.
Caledonia, Solihull and Sheffield all go up to Division 1 at the start of next season. For Solihull it completes a remarkable season-by-season promotion from the League's basement since rebuilding their team and returning to the BWPL four years ago.
In other matches at Swansea, Croydon drew 9-9 with Welsh Wanderers while goals by Joao Mertins (4) and Joe Hazeldine (3) helped set up Worthing's 14-13 defeat of Croydon.
Photos by Trevor Hyde
Pictured in the Caledonia team line-up are (L-R, back row), Paul Metcalfe (coach), Simon Metcalfe, Braden Henderson, Matthew Crighton, Ross Stewart. Front: David Baxter (captain), Logan Shepherd, Chris Campbell, Andrew Woodall, Darren Campbell, Mark Speed, Steve Adams, Andrew Melville, Ali Campbell. Others who played during the successful season were Joe Thomson, Alan Shepherd and David Stewart.
Caledonia, Solihull and Sheffield all go up to Division 1 at the start of next season. For Solihull it completes a remarkable season-by-season promotion from the League's basement since rebuilding their team and returning to the BWPL four years ago.
In other matches at Swansea, Croydon drew 9-9 with Welsh Wanderers while goals by Joao Mertins (4) and Joe Hazeldine (3) helped set up Worthing's 14-13 defeat of Croydon.
Photos by Trevor Hyde
Pictured in the Caledonia team line-up are (L-R, back row), Paul Metcalfe (coach), Simon Metcalfe, Braden Henderson, Matthew Crighton, Ross Stewart. Front: David Baxter (captain), Logan Shepherd, Chris Campbell, Andrew Woodall, Darren Campbell, Mark Speed, Steve Adams, Andrew Melville, Ali Campbell. Others who played during the successful season were Joe Thomson, Alan Shepherd and David Stewart.
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