SALISBURY Hockey Club's men's first team's battle with relegation is finally over.

Almost two months since the season closed, the Skew Bridge-based outfit this week learned they had survived the drop.

After narrowly avoiding the two automatic relegation places in Division One of the Hampshire League, Salisbury had to keep their fingers crossed that Old Georgians won their Inter League play-off and secured qualification for the National League to ensure their own survival.

The club's communications officer, Andy Miles told Journal Sport: "For once, luck was with us."

The forthcoming season however, will see a number of changes in personnel.

Skipper Dan Dines is to stand down after three years at the helm.

'Keeper Tim Green will now wear the captain's armband and is hoping to attract a number of new players to the club during the summer.

Two other club stalwarts have announced they are to leave the first team set up.

Adie Rigg, having recently become a father for the second time, is to retire from the game, while John Baker is to take up a more active role with the club's second team.