HELENSBURGH Hockey Club’s first team were crowned West District division two champions on Saturday – without striking a ball.

Having completed their league campaign the previous week, Helensburgh had to hope that their only championship rivals East Kilbride would fail to chalk up the seven-goal winning margin they needed from their own final fixture to snatch away the crown.

And Helensburgh players were watching on as the Lanarkshire side won away to Hillhead on Saturday – but by a 6-1 margin which was just enough to send the title to the Burgh.

Captain Gavin McWilliam, who had already heaped praise on his players for a massively successful season, said: “Promotion was clinched against Giffnock in March, but to win the league – the first trophy at the club in over 30 years – is a massive achievement.”

Heads were down in the Burgh camp following Burgh’s relegation at the end of 2016-17, but after an opening day win against Rottenrow, an away loss to Uddingston was the only blip in the first half of the season, with highlights including big wins against Irvine, Hillhead and Kelburne and a thrilling 6-5 victory over Glasgow University.

East Kilbride started the season well, too, and went into the two clubs’ first meeting of the campaign leading the table – but a 3-2 win for Helensburgh in that match was to prove crucial in the title race.

The second half of the season started with a 2-0 loss away to Glasgow University – but Burgh bounced back in style, scoring 12 goals against Uddingston and Irvine in successive weeks to seize the initiative.

A 6-5 midweek loss to Strathclyde University put the title party on hold, before a 7-0 win over East Kilbride turned the tide back Helensburgh’s way and set up Saturday’s nerve-jangling finale.

Jonathon Cox, Dayle Hartopp and Alan Stuart led the goalscoring charts with 26, 17 and 15 goals respectively, though at the other end goalkeeper Craig Keith’s 10 clean sheets were equally important.

The club will look to celebrate in style at their James Bond themed awards night on May 19 at Craighelen Lawn Tennis and Squash club. Tickets are £20, available from Gordon Black.