Kent will boast two teams playing national Premier Division hockey next season after double success at the Promotion Play-offs.

Going into the final round of fixtures in the four-team tournament on Sunday, both Canterbury and Holcombe needed simply to avoid defeat to ensure a place in next season’s top-flight, having claimed four points from their opening two games – including Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the sides.

Playing concurrently at Lee Valley, in the shadow of the Queen Elizabeth OIympic Park, on Sunday morning, James Stedman and David Appleton put the Rochester side 2-0 ahead against Team Bath Buccaneers in the opening half and Stephane Vehrle-Smith made it three with a thumping finish after the break.

Bath – who needed a win to ensure promotion at the expense of Holcs – did pull one back from close range but Gareth Andrew produced a superb solo run and thunderous finish to make it 4-1 before teeing up Stedman to add a late fifth.

Andrew had given Holcs hope of securing their top-flight status the previous day when he put his side ahead against Canterbury, only for Wei Adams to secure a 1-1 draw and ensure the drama went down to the final day.

Playing Bowdon, and knowing anything better than a 5-0 defeat would see them through, Adams put Canterbury ahead through a fine volleyed finish, and though the Manchester side equalised through a penalty corner conversion, and keeper Diccon Stubbings being called into regular action, it was 2-1 to the city club at the break thanks to Matt Burton-Bowen’s fine juggle and finish.

Michael Farrer made it 3-1 after the turnaround and though Bowdon again reduced the deficit, Australian forward Craig Boyne had the final say with a fourth to ensure Canterbury finished top of the round-robin table on goal difference.