Chelmsford Highway Veterans team finished off a perfect season for the club by retaining their National title at the National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes at the weekend.

With the club's first and second teams having already made it a successful year by gaining promotion and reaching the semi-finals of the HA Cup, the Vets were determined to finish the campaign with a grand finale.

Having won the title last year, Chelmsford had a lot to live up to and were the team that the other sides were out to beat.

In their opening game in which they had to play four 15-minutes each way matches, Chelmsford faced Sherwood from the Midlands.

A goal from Lynn Bollington five minutes from time secured the three points and set Chelmsford on their way.

Against South Champions, Camberley, the Essex side recorded their biggest win of the day.

Bollington's double strike put Chelmsford 2-0 up before setting up Margeritte Gill for a third goal.

Bollington then completed her hat-trick with the last hit of the game to register another three points on the board.

Having put themselves in a commanding position, Chelmsford knew that a win in their next game against Crosby would virtually assure them of the championship.

In a magnificent performance Chelmsford battled hard and got the win they needed.

Goalkeeper Sue Miller kept another clean sheet and Bollington struck midway through the second half to score the all important winning goal.

With both their other nearest challengers dropping points Chelmsford took to the field in their final game knowing that they were already the champions.

Wearys from the west were playing for the runners-up spot and went about the game with urgency.

Chelmsford were somewhat lacklustre and were a little disappointed to lose 1-0. Despite the defeat, it couldn't take the shine off a brilliant achievement.

Captain Steph Garner who stands down from her position next season, was thrilled at her team's performance.

"It's a fantastic way for me to finish," she said. "To come back and win the title for a second successive year is a great achievement and the whole squad deserve a lot of credit."

The party went on until late in the night as Chelmsford celebrated their success and it was the perfect end to a perfect season for the club.

The Chelmsford squad was: S. Miller, P. Spenceley, S. Hoare, G. Peartree, S. Garner, C. Thomas, L. Marsden, L. Bollington, T. Goodchild, H. Bastian, C. Hill, M. Gill, J. Stonebank, S. Robson, G. Thom and C. Cunningham.

The manager was U. Heelis, the coach was L. Baron and J. Wahlers was the squad's physiotherapist.

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