Horsham's women survived a rollercoaster weekend to remain on course for the National South title.

The current leaders thought they had blown the championship and maybe promotion altogether after being held to a 1-1 draw away to St Austell.

But a huge cheer went up after news filtered through that second-placed Swansea had only drawn away to bottom side Bedford.

The results leave Horsham top on goal difference from Swansea and a point ahead of Firebrands going into this weekends final fixtures.

With just one team guaranteed promotion and a second going into the play-offs, the equation is simple for Horsham.

If they win away to lowly Southampton they will go up, if they lose they could miss out completely.

Manager Jo Humphries said: "We came off at the end and thought we had blown it not necessarily the play-offs but certainly the title.

"I asked the technical delegate to ask for the Swansea result when he phoned in our result but when he said it was 2-2 we didnt believe him. So I phoned Bedford Hockey Club who confirmed the result.

"In the space of 15 minutes we went from being on a real downer to a high real."

Horsham got a great start after the long journey to Cornwall with Jet van Zalen firing them ahead from a short corner on 12 minutes.

However, they went off the boil in the second half and St Austell equalised with five minutes remaining.

Humphries believes Horsham will get the result they want on Saturday.

She said: "We feel we have been given a huge lifeline. We have had our one blip where we only played 20 minutes of good hockey out of 70.

"The girls know they have got to win and do a professional job. It is best that it is in our hands."

Swansea finish at home to St Austell while Firebrands entertain Maidstone.

Horsham mens team celebrated their Kent/Sussex division one title success with a 6-2 defeat of Sussex Police.

The championship had been secured the previous week with a 5-2 win at Cliftonville and this latest success meant Horsham finished the second half of the season with a 100 per cent record.

They were given a tough run-out in the first half by a Sussex Police side who were not guaranteed survival going into the game.

Police led twice through goals from Mick Baldwin but Horsham fought back after the interval to take the points thanks to Mark Humphreys (two), Richard Lowe, Richard Charlesworth, Ian Brown and Robin Sims.

Horsham captain Brown said: "It was a strange game. We knew we had already won the league while they were scrapping for points.

"We were 1-0 and 2-1 down but we played our normal type of hockey in the second half and were too strong for them.

"It has been a fantastic season. The team effort and morale has been unbelievable.

"We have got to keep things going during the off-season, particularly fitness-wise, to keep the momentum going into next season.

"We are also still going for a double as we have a Sussex Plate semi-final with Newhaven to look forward to."

Despite losing, Sussex Police avoided relegation as Bexley Invicta lost away to South Saxons.

Skipper Dan Burnett led the way with a hat-trick for Saxons while further goals came from Pete Burton (two), Toby Reed and Andy Acott.

Penguin finished fourth from bottom after ending their league campaign with a 3-2 defeat of Crawley thanks to goals from Rob Hallett (two) and Andy Knight.

At the other end of the table, Southwick clinched fourth spot with a 1-1 draw against Gillingham Anchorians, Jamie Bird scoring.

In the Regional League, Eastbourne clinched third spot after a 5-2 defeat of BBHC thanks to goals from coach Flo Pietzsch, Ali Barnes, Dave Morgan, Dan Williams and Angus Williams.

Mark Duncan and Bryan Lock scored for Worthing as they lost 3-2 away to Sutton Valence.

Mike Dovey scored a consolation for rock-bottom Mid Sussex as they were crushed 11-1 by champions Maidstone.

Hailsham won the Sussex Open League and promotion to Kent/Sussex division one after beating Middleton and Bognor 3-1 to climb above Newhaven, who lost 3-2 to Penguin II.