NEW Milton have won the Hampshire League Division Two championship by the difference of a solitary goal from Gosport.

The two finished with an identical playing record - 13 wins from 18 games and 42 points banked.

Although they scored one less goal, New Milton's defensive record was marginally better - and that secured them the crown.

The outcome of the title race went to the wire. New Milton were adrift (on goal difference) going into the final match of the season, but while they were beating United Services 7-0, Gosport leaked four goals in winning 8-4 against lowly Eastleigh.

"With the possibility of teams like Southampton dropping from the regional league into Hampshire League One next season, we're relishing the opportunity to show that we are not just a small fish in a big pond," said New Milton skipper Andrew Johnson.

New Milton ladies also did well, finishing fourth in the Hampshire Women's League.

  • Wimborne Wayfarers completed a successful last third of the Hampshire Division One season with a 4-0 win over Basingstoke.

Wimborne started strongly and took the lead through Sam Pope and Simon Ridley's penalty corner in the first half. Paul Randall scored twice after the break to secure Wimborne seventh place in the table.

Having lost four consecutive matches after the Christmas break, Wayfarers went on to win five of their last six games to keep them in the division for next season.

The club's second team completed their season with a 3-3 draw at Fleet and finished in ninth place in Hampshire Open Division Three.

Wimborne's adventure in the EH Vase came to a disappointing end at the semi-final stage with a 3-1 defeat away to UCL Academicals in Surrey on Sunday.

Mark Jeffs scored for Wayfarers with a penalty stroke.

  • Bournemouth ladies look set to finish third in EHA Women's National South Division after allowing a 2-1 lead to slip at Sevenoaks.

They got their noses in front through open play goals by Sarah Nicholls (18) and Kathy James (54) but two quick strikes by the Kent side left them 3-2 losers.

  • Canford School are through to the semi-finals of the England Hockey Association Under-16 Championships after beating Guildford Royal Grammar School 2-1.

They came from behind to win through goals by Tom Darby and Simon Hanley.

Canford, who visit Ipswich in the semi-finals on April 17, previously won the West of England Under-16 Championships, beating Dauntseys (4-0), Prior Park (5-0) and Millfield (3-0).