HOCKEY: BEBINGTON Ladies have won promotion from Cheshire Division Five at the first time of asking after winning 2-1 at Knutsford on Saturday.

The club, who were previously known as Ellesmere Port and still play in the town at Sutton Sports Centre, came under the Bebington umbrella last summer after struggling for several seasons.

Bebington secured runners-up spot on the final day of the campaign, overtaking Brooklands who were beaten 2-1 by champions Bowdon.

After Charlotte Dodd had netted in a 1-1 draw at home to Brook-lands the previous week, which had followed a 4-1 victory at South Cheshire with goals from Terrianne McGrath (2), Charlotte Dodd and Sharon Steadman, Bebington knew they needed to beat Knutsford to have any chance of going up.

They started badly, conceding an early goal after poor marking on the back post but were creating plenty of chances and drew level shortly before the break through a powerful Sharon Steadman shot.

In the second half, Bebington had most of the possession but struggled to fashion clear opportunities.

However, with just two minutes of the league campaign remaining, Steadman converted from a penalty corner, leaving Knutsford with virtually no time to respond.