HELENSBURGH Hockey Club’s first team secured their league status with 4-3 win in their final game of the season against Irvine.

The second team’s six-match unbeaten run was brought to an end with a 3-2 defeat at home to Greenock, while the third team’s game was cancelled and they were given a 5-0 walkover.

The 1st XI travelled to Saltcoats to take on relegation rivals Irvine. Helensburgh were all but safe from relegation but a win would confirm Division One status for next season.

The game started well for Helensburgh with early pressure on the Irvine goal. A number of early strikes were well saved by the home keeper, with Dye, J Caulfield and Fairbairn all having chances.

Helensburgh broke the deadlock after 10 minutes. A ball from G Caulfield found Dye up front and the young striker scored with a well-struck shot.

Helensburgh doubled their lead not long after with a goal from captain Caulfield, who deflected Dye's initial shot past the defence and goalkeeper.

The shot was initially fired in by Dye, and Caulfield deflected past all the defence and goalkeeper to give Burgh a 2-0 lead.

The away side took their foot off the accelerator which allowed Irvine back into the game. Black had made only one save throughout the first half, but was kept busy in its last five minutes. Irvine managed to find a weak spot and slotted the ball home.

Burgh were under the cosh at the start of the second half until McWilliams received a pass from McGregor and dribbled through a number of players before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

At 3-1, Helensburgh looked confident and a fourth goal wasn’t far off, with J Caulfield getting his second as he slotted neatly past the oncoming keeper. Irvine were still fighting though and got a second after the striker beat Black in goal. A tense finish was set after some neat play from the Irvine strikers made a third goal and Helensburgh were looking shocked.

As the game petered out, an almost disastrous back pass from Hartopp sent Irvine through on goal. But Black did enough to put the striker off before G Caulfield took the ball away calmly to secure a close win.

Helensburgh:– G Black, GCaulfield, D McGregor, Jay Caulfield, B.Cox, G McWilliam (MoM), T Barton, D Hartopp, C Fairbairn, J Caulfield (capt), C Dye, C Rosie, J Cox.

The result saw Helensburgh finish a respectable eighth out of 12 in West District Division 1.