A sunny day dawned on Yate Outdoor Sports Complex for this, the penultimate match of the league season. Yate needed to put on a much better show than they had done in the last few matches, as their opponents Westbury & UB 'E' had been on great form in the last few matches, climbing the table. Yate knew that a win today would almost certainly make them champions due to their far superior goal difference.

Yate had a strong squad, with Charlie Hopkins returning from injury, Matt Bethell and Rob Child all being available for selection. The match started, and as expected Westbury had a strong team, who were solid in all areas, particularly defensively, where every ball into the D from Yate seemed to be blocked by a Westbury stick.  Despite this slow start Yate had the best of the chances early on, and with 14 players were able to use these fresh legs often.

The score remained at 0-0 for the first 20 minutes, with Wesbury proving very difficult to break down, and their keeper making the saves where necessary. Then after a stick challenge in the Yate 23 Tom Johnston played a quick ball to Adrian Kitchen, who then played an early ball to Charlie Hopkins.  Now approaching the Westbury D, Charlie sipped the ball to Ian 'Crabbie' Crabbe in space in front of the goal. Crabbie opting to take the ball on his strong side had his shot well saved, only for Charlie to pounce on the rebound and flick the ball past the defenders o the line from a tight angle.

The goal lifted Yate and they continued to pressure.  The ball again fell to Charlie, who pushing into the D set himself for the reverse stick shot. The resulting hit produced the goal of the game as it shot past the Westbuty keeper, rippling the top right corner of the net to double the Yate lead and Charlie's tally.

The score remained 2-0 to Yate until half time, and Yate just needed to carry on their strong play from the end of the half.  As the second half started Yate again began to pressure, asserting themselves as the dominant team. Further chances came and went, but Yate were unable to convert, until some good build up play from the Yate midfield, presented Matt Bethell with a chance.  Matt struck the ball well towards the goal, shere Charlie turned it in at the far post to complete a well deserved Hattrick. Matt Bethell would then add his own to the tally after some fantastic stick skills to complete the scoring for Yate at 4-0.

Ian Crabbe was unlucky not to add to his tally of 35 for the season, and there was some fantastic play up front from Tom Johnston too. The midfield of Mark Pennicott, Rob Child, Pete Lamb and Adrian Kitchen kept the play flowing, and the defence of Justin Metcalfe in goal, Nick 'Shrek' Hare, Rene Wickes, Martin Emery, Ian Redfearn (who unfortunately pulled a hamstring and had to be replaced) and Rob Hazelwood always looked up to the challenge and anything Westbury could throw at them.

Yata managed to keep their 12th clean sheet of the league, from just 19 games so far, which is an incredible acheivement.

This victory was made all the sweater, as it meant that UWE could not surpass Yate's points total of 50.  Although they were later to find that UWE had been beaten by Robinsons 7-1, putting the championship beyond all doubt.

Well done to every single player who has represented Yate 3rd team this season, the victory is greatly deserved and down to the time and commitment put in by everyone. The 3rds hope to avenge their 1 defeat next week against the Westbury & UB 'F' team.