TYNEDALE will be playing Premier League hockey again next year after securing their safety in the penultimate game of the season.

Needing a victory to avoid relegation from the North East Hockey Premier League, they were excellent in their 3-1 home victory over Newcastle University II.

While Tom Scott and Ed Crawford got the crucial goals, Tyne were indebted to man of the match goalkeeper Mark Blatherwick and his defence for shutting out a threatening University side.

Tynedale stuck to their task well and were ahead after just five minutes.

A slick passing move ending with Henry Thompson feeding the ball through to Tom Cant who subsequently found an unmarked Scott at the back post to fire home the opener. The students looked to bounce back straight away but they were frustrated by some strong saves from Blatherwick.

They kept on coming though, and the defensive pairing of James Rainford and Crawford had to be at their best to restrict goalscoring chances.

The pairing combined well at the other end to extend their side’s lead, Rainford’s clever pass finding roaming centre back Crawford in the opposition third. He was allowed the space to dribble to the top of the circle and fire the ball low to the goalkeeper’s left.

The deficit was reduced soon after when a strong Newcastle cross missed the Tyne defence, and a Uni player was on hand at the back post to slip the ball under Blatherwick.

Newcastle had further opportunities before the break was up, but Blatherwick again came to the hosts’ rescue.

Instead, Uni were two goals behind by the time they turned round as a powerful long ball from Rainford found lone striker Cant, and he provided another great assist for Scott who continued his great form in front of goal in his debut year in the first team.

The second half became a real end-to-end encounter, and Scott passed up a golden chance for his hat-trick when the ball was put on a plate for him by the hard working Jonny Oakley. The youngster uncharacteristically fluffed his lines, and fired over the crossbar from two yards out.

The university side were causing their hosts a lot of problems with their powerful running and silky skills, yet they were unable to find a way past Blatherwick who justified his star man rating with save after save.

As the game became stretched late on, Tynedale had a number of chances to add to their tally with Crawford again finding the back of the net only for his strike to be ruled out as the ball was adjudged to his body following Cant’s shot.

Thompson then had an opportunity from a short corner, but his effort was fired wide of the goal frame.

Tynedale had done enough to secure their status in the higher division, though, and the pressure is off as they finish the season against Jesmond Parish Church on Saturday.