Hockey: Chippenham secured promotion back to North Division Two with a clinical 4-0 win at Firebrands B.

Knowing that a win would guarantee automatic promotion, Chippenham were determined to add to their impressive away record as they secured their ninth win on the road.

The visitors started in impressive fashion by dictating the game’s pace, with forward Alex Thomas tormenting his opposite number with a number of runs behind the defence. Nigel Stonham stepped up to fire a short corner flick past the diving keeper to give the visitors a deserved lead.

James Hamilton and Stonham then set up Luke Morris for a stick shot which was saved by the keeper but the ever-alert Main was on hand to fire in the rebound.

With five minutes of the half to go Firebrands fought into the game and put pressure on Chippenham’s back line, but they failed to beat the impressive Dave Ward, Darren Bean and Chris Sampson in defence.

Chippenham came under immense pressure after the break but they scored again following a swift counter-attack to make it 3-0.

Stonham won the ball in his own half and his turn of speed took him past the Firebrands midfield. A great far post run from Mark Knight was found well by Stonham and Knight despatched the ball first time past the wrong-footed keeper to make the game safe.

With the clock ticking down Ben Jones rounded off the scoring with a superb rasping shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

l Chippenham A beat Team Bath Buccs G 3-0 in Wiltshire & NE Somerset Division One on Saturday.