THERE was a promotion, a 'Great Escape' and progression into the knockout stages of a national cup for sides representing Yate Hockey Club over the weekend.

Yate Men 2s

Yate were slow to get out of the blocks and some resolute defending by veteran Martin Emery, the eventual MOM, halted the vibrant students.

Then, the turning point came when Alex Robins slotted home from a neatly worked short corner.

After that, Yate dominated the game, doubling the lead with a thunderbolt strike from Steve Mason before Mark Pennicott made it three.

Yate conceded 2 late goals but managed to hold on for a well-deserved 3-2 win to celebrate their promotion in style.

Yate Ladies 1s

Yate were disappointed with their performance on Saturday, losing 4-1 away at Firebrands. 

They started strongly and dominated the first 10minutes and went 1-0 up when Di Pugh-Hudson fired home, but Firebrands slowly worked their way into the game and scored twice to lead at half-time.

The home side went 3-1 up five minutes into the second half and Yate struggled to keep possession. Firebrands scored another from another penalty corner to seal their win. 

Yate Men 1s

Yate convincing beat Cardiff & Met 4 away on Saturday.  Nick PG's effort trickled through the keeper's legs for Yate's first before Alex whittle scored with a rocket from the top of the D and Rhys Gamlin's fine finish made it 3-0. 

Yate Ladies 2s

Yate avoided relegation in their last match of the season at Marlborough.

The home side found the net early in the second half but Yate rallied and Penny Kawecki equalised.

Despite not being able to find the winner, results elsewhere worked in their favour, and they are safe in West Division 2 East by one point.

Yate Ladies 3s

Yate faced promotion-chasing Wotton-Under-Edge 2s at home. Wotton scored mid-way through the first half but just before the break, Yate equalised through Sarah Willis. 

But Wotton went on to score three goals in the second half for a 4-1 win.

Yate Ladies Development

Westberries Development opened the scoring early on in the first-half but a reverse goal from LG equalised for Yate.

Westberries managed another two goals in the second half to record a 3-1 victory.

Yate Mixed

Yate took on a Uni of Bristol side in the England Hockey Mixed Championships Plate on Sunday. 

Yate scored first through Milo but the students then scored two great goals to lead at half-time.

Kyishia Cooke levelled from a flick just after the break and Danny Pearce gave Yate a 3-2 lead.

The students equalised again as the see-saw nature of the contest continued, before Issy Collins scored from a penalty corner for Yate.

Chasing another equaliser, Bristol Uni pulled off their GK with a few minutes to go and Cooke scored on a counter-attack to make it 5-3 and put them into the last 16 of the competition.