West Herts secured promotion to Division One of England Hockey’s Indoor League after five years in the National League.

The Stags have come agonisingly close in recent years, finishing third in Division Two, but five victories at Whitgift School at the weekend sealed promotion.

Division Two North winners Barford Tigers provided West Herts’ first opponents. The Stags started well and were 4-1 ahead at half time before Tigers scored twice after the break.

However, West Herts pushed on in the second period and scored two further goals to seal a 6-3 victory.

Bogey team Indian Gymkhana were next up for the Stags, who showed no sign of their previous struggles against the Londoners, running out 10-2 winners.

Sunday began with an early start against a Cheltenham side who had garnered four points from a possible six the previous day.

West Herts made light work of the Gloucestershire side though, cruising to a 6-2 victory.

Following a three-hour break, West Herts took on fellow unbeaten side Sheffield Hallam. Something had to give and it did.

A point would seal promotion but Herts sealed all three by boosting their 3-1 half-time lead to win 7-4.

With promotion secured, West Herts had one final fixture left, with Fareham ruthlessly dispatched 8-3 to complete an unbeaten weekend.

In the outdoor East Division Two South, West Herts Seconds picked up a resounding 5-1 win over Bedford Seconds.

Luke Frey continued his impressive recent run of form by opening the scoring.

The game was turned on its head when goalkeeper Ryan Thomas was yellow carded after coming into contact with the ball outside the ‘D’.

Harry Benjamin donned the helmet and the Stags held firm, ironically conceding once Thomas returned.

Goals from Frey and Jason Mallory either side of half time boosted West Herts’ lead to 3-1 before Jeremy Lowen and Steve George completed the win.

And there was still time for Anrew Verrinder to miss a penalty flick.

West Herts ladies Seconds moved top of the Five Counties Premier thanks to a 1-1 draw against Leighton Buzzard.

Ishani Welmillage struck for the Stags in the first period but Leighton Buzzard drew level with ten minutes remaining.

The men’s Thirds were clinical in front of goal, storming to a 10-1 victory at Blueharts in East Division Three South West.

West Herts men’s Fourths were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage Thirds in Division Five South West.

It was an afternoon to forget for the men’s Fifths, who were mercilessly crushed 9-0 at Broxbourne Thirds in Division Six South West.

The ladies Fourths came unstuck against Letchworth Thirds, losing their Five Counties Division Two fixture 2-1.

In the Five Counties Division Three, West Herts ladies Fifths hit Hertford Fourths for six, winning 6-1