Upminster 2nd XI 2
Southend & Benfleet 1st XI 2 (Sarah Conway, Ashlie Coleman)

Southend & Benfleet needed a draw or a win to beat second placed Upminster 2 away and secure winning the Essex Premier division. The deciding result came down to a nerve-wracking final match of the season where the two tops teams came head to head. In front of a packed crowd of supporters, both teams were hell bent on winning and gaining promotion to the East hockey league. Southend & Benfleet were the first to shake off their nerves with a goal in the first 10 minutes. Kirsty Durban passed round the Upminster goalkeeper and Sarah Conway was there to bury it into the goal. Upminster were quick to retaliate with a goal. Back at level pegging, S&B mounted yet another fast attack with Sarah Conway and Ashlie Coleman working well together for Ashlie Coleman to slot in an easy goal. Upminster picked up their game and Lisa Hawkins thwarted what looked like a certain goal by tipping the ball over the crossbar as it flew towards the right corner. Shortly afterwards Upminster were awarded a penalty flick, expertly scored into the top left corner. The score at half-time was 2-2. Southend & Benfleet dusted themselves off at half-time. The game in the second half was very even with attacks from both teams. After the thrilling first half it was surprising that neither teams scored again in the second half. Southend & Benfleet went into lock-down, refusing to let Upminster score. As the whistle blew for full-time the screams of joy from Southend & Benfleet rang out across the pitch. Captain Kirsty Durban said “I’m buzzing, every player has played a huge part in becoming champions. I am so proud to have captained them this season, they have all been a massive support.”

Founder and club captain Claire King was watching proudly from the sidelines, having dashed from her game for the 2s and said, "When we first set up the club it was a group of friends who just wanted to enjoy playing hockey together. We wondered if we would get enough players together for one team in the bottom division. Now we have three teams, a successful youth section and have just won the Prem! I never dreamt we would achieve so much."