EAST LEAGUE: Dereham and Norwich Dragons both recorded notable achievements at the weekend after clinching titles in the Women's EastLeague. As expected, Dereham booked their place in the National League set-up for the first time in their history when they strolled to a 10-1 win at Saffron Walden to secure the Premier Division top spot.

Dereham and Norwich Dragons both recorded notable achievements at the weekend after clinching titles in the Women's EastLeague.

As expected, Dereham booked their place in the National League set-up for the first time in their history when they strolled to a 10-1 win at Saffron Walden to secure the Premier Division top spot.

And Norwich Dragons also did what they had to do in their final fixture, coming away from NorthWalsham with a poignant 3-1 victory to pip long-time rivals Watton for the Division 2NE crown.

Dereham had to draw or win to become champions and did it in style with an emphatic success against a side struggling near the foot of the table. Both Kath Malvern and Hannah Palmer scored hat-tricks while Holly Allen and Evie Gardner added two each as SaffronWalden were put firmly in their place.

All season Dereham have shown real spirit and determination to achieve this well deserved prize - and will now be looking forward to rubbing shoulders with, amongst others, HarlestonMagpies in the National EastConference next season.

The Dragons went into their game shocked by the death of one of their players, Becky Thorpe, and both sides observed a minute's silence in her memory before the match.

They went on to dominate the game, with Walsham only having a handful of attacking opportunities.

Dragons scored first as Natalie Beal netted from a goalmouth scramble, following a short corner and some good positioning from the hard working Tash Blyth.

North Walsham soon got a goal back but Dragons pressed on and their pressure was rewarded with Gail Thomas scoring from a well worked short corner.

In the second half, Dragons maintained their pressure but were only able to score one more as player of the match Marie James made it 13 for the season as a previously unsuccessful short corner routine worked out as planned. The game was scrappy in parts but Dragons ground out the result they needed to be champions of the league.

The team, superbly led by Hannah Roney, are now looking forward to playing in Division 1N next season and are still dreaming of a return to Norwich, where they used to be based in their former life as Norwich Union.

In the men's East League relegated pair Dereham and Wisbech both lost their rearranged fixtures inPremier A, to WestHerts (2-3) and Blueharts (0-2) respectively. Norwich City II men ended a disappointing season inDivision 1 with a 3-1 defeat at St Ives (James Greig) while Norwich City IV rounded off their Division 5NE campaign in fine style with a 4-2 success against Ipswich and EastSuffolk III.

Their goals came from Tim Crane, James Dorling and Adie Marr (2).