THIS was a friendly – if, says club chairman Andy Lord, there is ever such a thing against Newent – to celebrate Lydney's promotion to Division One of the West Premier League.

It is the highest status ever achieved by the club, but do not be surprised if they keep on climbing the hockey ladder because the game has emerged as one of the town's major team sports.

The high-fliers in the Lydney Ladies first team are setting the pace. Another promotion could see them in the National League, a simmering ambition they would dearly love to achieve.

Before they take on their first West Premier League challenge, away to Yate on September 22, the team will play another friendly and compete in a County Tournament at Dean Close School, Cheltenham, on Sunday – a competition they won last season. They will be led by Emma Biddle, who is in her fourth year as captain.

Hockey has always been a popular Lydney sport, but perhaps never more so than now.

There are two senior men's teams playing in West of England leagues, and a junior team called the Badgers. The women have three league teams and a junior side named the Vixens.

But it doesn't end there.

"We have a proactive programme to introduce hockey to youngsters and we go all over the Forest taking the game into primary schools," explains club chairman Andy Lord.

"We have met with a lot of enthusiasm and the result has been the formation of an academy for youngsters aged under 12 who train outside school."

The staggering outcome is that as many as 70 youngsters turn up every week.

The club plays home fixtures on Saturdays and Sundays at Whitecross School and new players are always welcome.

"It's a well established game in the town, and the club has a long history. Almost all the players come from round and about the area and potential players who would like to know more can contact us through our Lydney Hockey Club website," says Andy.

The game against Newent was as competitive as usual and a good warm-up for the forthcoming league programme. It also introduced new sponsors, Reecer Space and Club Ginger.

"We always have a tough game against Newent but we are actually good friends," said Andy.