HORWICH Hockey Club are champions of North West League Division Six North South in their debut season.

The club was formed less than a year ago but sealed the title and promotion with an 8-0 home thumping of lowly Urmston recently.

After a mixed run of results, Horwich started the game well and were ahead within the first five minutes when Wil Aitken found David Fox with a long ball into the D which the veteran coolly deflected into the back of the net to calm any title nerves.

Three minutes later and the lead was doubled when Aitken and Paul Buckland combined to find skipper Andrew Robertson who laid the ball on for Tony Sanderson to score his first of the afternoon.

With Horwich in cruise control, three more were added before the break.

Robertson again found Sanderson before Daniel Scarfe set him up for his hat-trick and a great pass from the right by Matt Tuppen allowed top scorer Sanderson to go on and net his fourth.

The home team took their foot off the gas in the second half, but there was still time for Sanderson and then Scarfe to supply Ryan Brennan with two goals.

Scarfe then fed Andrew Whiteside for the final goal of the afternoon.

It secured an 11th win of the campaign for the club which was formed last April after breaking away from first Bolton and then Bury.

They wrapped up the campaign with a 5-1 win at Didsbury last weekend with two goals apiece for Robertson and Sanderson and one for Buckland that saw them end the season six points clear of second-placed Bolton Men's 4ths.

The majority of the Horwich team have played together for 12 years and the players, who range from ages 21 to 66 years old, come from all areas. to take part.

And skipper Roberston says winning the title and promotion to Division Five North South in their inaugural season is a fantastic achievement.

He said: "I am immensely proud of what we have achieved in our first season.

"Winning the league is a fantastic start for the club and a great platform to build on in the future."