Devizes hockey girls are in the running to be crowned the champions of England.

A place in England Hockey’s national U18s tier 2 plate final is up for grabs this weekend with Devizes Hockey Club’s team determined to battle for the spot.

The under-18s girls’ team travels to Yorkshire on Sunday to take on Ben Rhydding Hockey Club in semi-final of the national competition, with the winners facing Midlands club Old Silhillians U18s, who have already secured their spot in the final.

The semi-final match is hot on the heels of Devizes girls being crowned champions of the West of England U18 tier 1 league in their debut year earlier this month.

This is the first year the club has been able to field an U18 team against big Westcountry clubs including Old Bristolians, Taunton Vale and Plymouth Marjons.

Captain Bella Ward said: “I am so pleased for the team, we have worked incredibly hard this year and to win the league is a massive achievement.”

U18 Head Coach Alex Holloway added: “It is a fantastic result for us and is a reflection of the continued commitment the club provides our thriving youth section.

“More importantly, it is a mark of the hard work and dedication this particular group of girls, a number of whom started off together at Under 10s have put in over many years. We are immensely proud of the whole group."