| The ladies' 1st team have propelled themselves into the national league for the first time, after a stunning performance at the EHL play-offs in Bristol.
This achievement, as the club is marking the 25th year of the ladies' section, comes shortly after the men's return to the EHL Premier Division, and places Southgate in the small group of top clubs with both their men's and women's teams playing in the EHL.
Congratulations go to the players, captain Emma Kingstone, coach James Duthie, and all those who have helped to build this success. With a large contingent of home-grown U18s, this is proof of what has been achieved after ten years' hard work by Liz Moss, Matt McDonnell, and all the others involved in our superb junior section.
Already first-time champions of the South League, the girls had to play a series of five matches over three weekends, with two of the six teams involved ending up in the EHL. With four points in the bag after two games, the ladies' 1st team travelled to Bristol for the Bank Holiday weekend to play the remaining three games.
The first match was a hugely disappointing 3-0 loss to Horsham, whom we had outplayed, but who had put their chances away when we hadn't. The result put us into a difficult position, and the following day's match was pretty much do or die.
As it turned out, the girls put on a superb performance, completely outclassing Springfields UCLAN, and the 6-1 scoreline showing that there were no problems finding the net. With goal difference playing an important part of this small competition, this single result put us into second place behind the leaders Horsham, with one match to go.
In the final match, we still had to beat Matlock, so there was enormous tension as the most important match in the women's section's history started. Mercifully the goals came relatively easily, and by half time it was 2-0, ending at 5-1. The large crowd of Southgate supporters joined in the champagne celebrations and photo-taking.
The team will play next season in one of three EHL regional divisions below the women's Premier Division. To be just one division away from the top flight is an truly momentous achievement, for a side which were playing county hockey just 3 seasons ago. | 
