Harleston Magpies recorded an excellent away win on the day Cambridge University all but clinched the East League Premier Division title.While the students were picking up the point they needed at Havering, Magpies were beating Cambridge City 3-2 to move to within three points of their rivals.

Harleston Magpies recorded an excellent away win on the day Cambridge University all but clinched the East League Premier Division title.

While the students were picking up the point they needed at Havering, Magpies were beating Cambridge City 3-2 to move to within three points of their rivals.

The leaders have a vastly superior goal difference so Harleston would have to settle for second place even if they won their final game against Bury on Saturday and the University side lost.

But that took none of the gloss off an excellent win for Magpies, who started well and got their reward when Tom Sumner intercepted a quick free-hit to loft the ball past the keeper. The visitors then doubled their lead from a short corner scored by Tristan Baynes. After the break Harleston made a few changes, preparing for next season, and Cambridge managed to pull a goal back from a well struck short corner.

Magpies restored their two goal advantage on the break, Richard Ling converting at the back post after a brilliant cross from Andy Hipwell.

Cambridge then pulled another one back but Harleston hung on to clinch a deserved win.

Dereham guaranteed their safety with a one game left as they maintained their recent fine form with a 5-3 victory at Bury St Edmunds.

It is the first time in the history of the club that the team have survived a season in East Premier A.

“It has been a long time coming, and hopefully we can build on this and aim for a top five finish next season”, said Dereham stalwart Tim Allen.

With the half-time score at 0-0, it was not long before the first of the eight second half goals was scored.

Bury took the lead from a penalty corner but Dereham's Mike Timm replied almost immediately and Richard Stainthorpe's reverse stick penalty corner strike quickly made it 2-1.

Bury pulled themselves level with 20 minutes left but teenager Laurie Hill then completed an excellent move started by man-of-the-match Andy Laurence.

Mark Hunter missed a penalty stroke shortly before Mark Braybrook's excellent open play strike put Dereham 4-2 up. With seven minutes to play, Bury grabbed another goal from a penalty corner but Timm tapped into an open net seconds from the end to spark wild celebrations.

In Premier B Norwich City drew 2-2 with struggling Bourne. City went ahead when excellent work from Wardale found Sibson who beat the Bourne sweeper and then flicked into the top corner.

Bourne came out in the second half with renewed vigour and scored from a penalty corner. They then nudged ahead with a very well taken first-time strike.

Norwich did eventually raise their game and Brine scored a deserved late equaliser when he fired in from a short corner after quick thinking by the lively Wardale.

Wisbech's end of season slump continued as they crashed to a humiliating 7-2 defeat to neighbours Pelicans.

They were 4-0 down at the break and although Matt Levanda pulled a goal back immediately after the restart it was to prove a false dawn.

Any hopes of an unlikely comeback were quashed as Pelicans scored three quick goals before Brad Apted grabbed a late consolation.

Norwich City II came away from their trip to City of Peterborough III with a well deserved 2-2 draw.

Peterborough scored the opening goal against the run of play but City responded almost immediately. Mark Circuit linked up with Rich Silvester before cooly slotting home after his initial shot had been blocked.

City took the lead when Ali Wardale turned in a short corner from Adie Land's pass. They then defended well but couldn't prevent an equaliser.

Norwich Union IV beat Norwich City IV 3-1 in Division 5NE with goals from Mike Banham, Chris Harrison and Ady Kemp.

Thetford maintained their 100pc record in Division 6NE with another easy win. They beat North Walsham II 12-0 with Godbold, Skitmore and Harper all scoring hat-tricks.