THE last time Wilmslow Hockey Club women’s firsts met Stokesley, their opponents won to clinch promotion.

Things could not be more different this time, with Wilmslow emerging victorious and their visitors sitting at the foot of the table.

Saturday’s 3-1 win further consolidated their mid-table position ahead of their final two fixtures before the Christmas break.

Hannah Kelman put Wilmslow ahead before a controversially awarded short corner led to the visitors pulling level.

However, the hosts found another gear and began to outpace the demoralised side from the north east.

Lindsey Rachubka finished off good work from Molly Wortley and Carla Botha to give them the lead again before doubling her tally to secure victory.

The seconds lost 1-0 to Golborne but the rest of the women’s teams had a good afternoon.

The thirds beat Knutsford 1-0 while Penny Smart kept up her scoring run for the fourths in their 3-0 win over Runcorn. The fifths beat neighbours Alderley Edge 2-0.

Meanwhile, the men’s firsts were involved in a remarkable game at Preston that finished in a 6-6 draw.

However, that will come as a disappointment for Wilmslow as Simon Swatland’s hat-trick helped them into a 5-2 lead before indiscipline allowed the hosts to recover.

The seconds also scored six but were victorious – beating Preston’s thirds 6-2 – while the thirds, fourths and fifths were all beaten.