FAREHAM WIN 3-1 TO CLINCH SURVIVAL

Relieved ! Fareham clinch survival.

Fareham have won their do-or-die battle to stay in the England National Hockey League.
A 3-1 victory over Indian Gymkhana in the final crucial relegation play-off showdown ensured Western Conference standard hockey will remain at Henry Cort next season.
Having beaten Oxton 3-1 on the Wirral a fortnight ago, Fareham only needed to draw with Indian Gymkhana to survive.
But a goal in each half by James Evans, either side of a waspish penalty corner conversion by Jamie Rawlings, ensured Fareham victory.
Gymkhana’s fading hopes of rescuing the game ended when Fareham goalkeeper George Harris twice saved penalty strokes by David Rae, the first having to be retaken.
The result means Indian Gymkhana are relegated from the Eastern Conference into the South League Premier 1, where newly promoted Winchester will be among their opponents next term.
* A longer in-depth report will appear here later.