Invicta grabbed the final day victory at Gloucester that they needed to ensure progress from men’s Division 2 to Championship 1, but only after a superb battle with Exeter, who went down 18-16.
So close was the match that the Devon side actually led four times. In the end, however, it was the finishing of Invicta’s captain and 2012 Olympian Jack Waller (pictured) that made the difference. He scored nine, none better than the brilliant back-hander that levelled the match at 15-15 just six seconds from the end of the third period.
The game went to 16-16 in the final quarter before Dan Hanlon edged Invicta ahead, followed by a stunning long shot from Will Liddle that beat the outstretched right hand of excellent Exeter goalkeeper Toby Hogg just 29 seconds from the finish.
The five teams qualifying for Championship 1 from Division 2 are Worthing, who completed an unbeaten campaign with an 18-5 victory over City of Bristol, Sedgefield, Portobello, Invicta and Caledonia, whose 13-10 win over Lancaster in their final game at East Manchester pushed Bristol into sixth place.
Bristol, Exeter and Lancaster will be in Championship 2 along with Southampton (who beat Croydon 12-10 to maintain a splendid 100 per cent record in Division 3), Hucknall, Manchester Hawks, Cheltenham Spartans and Bridgefield.
Sixth-placed Croydon miss phase two but are guaranteed a return to Division 3 next season. Rotherham Metro and Otter, the bottom two, also drop out but have the option of returning next season via the qualification tournament.
So close was the match that the Devon side actually led four times. In the end, however, it was the finishing of Invicta’s captain and 2012 Olympian Jack Waller (pictured) that made the difference. He scored nine, none better than the brilliant back-hander that levelled the match at 15-15 just six seconds from the end of the third period.
The game went to 16-16 in the final quarter before Dan Hanlon edged Invicta ahead, followed by a stunning long shot from Will Liddle that beat the outstretched right hand of excellent Exeter goalkeeper Toby Hogg just 29 seconds from the finish.
The five teams qualifying for Championship 1 from Division 2 are Worthing, who completed an unbeaten campaign with an 18-5 victory over City of Bristol, Sedgefield, Portobello, Invicta and Caledonia, whose 13-10 win over Lancaster in their final game at East Manchester pushed Bristol into sixth place.
Bristol, Exeter and Lancaster will be in Championship 2 along with Southampton (who beat Croydon 12-10 to maintain a splendid 100 per cent record in Division 3), Hucknall, Manchester Hawks, Cheltenham Spartans and Bridgefield.
Sixth-placed Croydon miss phase two but are guaranteed a return to Division 3 next season. Rotherham Metro and Otter, the bottom two, also drop out but have the option of returning next season via the qualification tournament.
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