HOLCOMBE Hockey Club’s never-ending success story brought a silver lining to the black cloud hanging over Medway following Gillingham’s relegation.

While the Gills returned from Nottingham in despair after drawing at Forest, Holcs men fared better at nearby Beeston where they clinched their fourth consecutive promotion via the play-offs at Bourneville’s expense.

Sunday’s elevation to National Division 2 wrote another chapter in Holcs continuing rise in English hockey.

Team manager Mike Haines described it as "fairy story".

He added: "It’s just unbelievable and it’s taking time to sink in. We devised a five-year plan and in the fifth year the club finds itself in National Division 2. It’s been an incredible journey for everyone at the club."

Club coach Greg Nicol scored a hat-trick from short-corners in Saturday’s first-leg play-off to give Holcs a 3-1 advantage going into Sunday’s second leg.

Backed by nearly 100 members, who had stayed overnight in Nottingham, Holcs made the best possible start to the second leg when Steve Evans opened the scoring after a mere nine seconds from Denzil Dolley’s cross.

Bournville equalised before half time only for Holcs to regain the lead when Nichol scored his fourth goal of the weekend to make the aggregate score 5-2.

Though Bournville, who had finished eighth out of 12 in Premier 2 made the aggregate 5-3, Holcs were good value for their win.