The Ladies 2s, crowned league champions last weekend, wanted to start the final day of the season off with a win, and kickstart a celebratory atmosphere to bring good vibes to the other Henley teams playing at home afterwards.

Henley started brightly, with forwards Emma Buckham-Hedges, Harri Hayes and Chloe Lyons connecting well with the energetic midfield, particularly Hayley Munt and Lily Baker’s surging runs down the flanks.

Henley were unfortunate not to go ahead early on, Chloe hitting both posts with consecutive short corners, and Hedges having a couple of snap shots in front of the keeper.

Kirsten Botha and Olivia Callaway were combative in the centre of the pitch, but despite the decent start, Aylesbury really grew into the game and played tidy, quick passing hockey to put Henley on the back foot for a spell. The defensive trio of Sophie Miller, Giorgia Fiorentino and Sophy Rogers kept Aylesbury mainly out of the D, and Georgie Grocock made some great saves, but a quick break and classy finish high into the net saw the visitors go ahead a few minutes before half time.

A rare occurrence this season in going behind, Henley responded immediately, with a fast and furious breakaway down the right expertly swept home by Amelie Bayfield on the penalty spot to equalise.

At half time, Coach Hayley Rogers and Captain Hedges urged a lift in intensity and for some slick hockey, to ensure the season ended on a high. The team shook off the classic Champions hangover and respond well.

Much better pressing and passing ensued, and Henley started to really put the pressure on. Ellie Roseff was intercepting balls in midfield, driving forward and finding the forwards now. Sophie M was joining in attacks down the right, and Dora Gibbon was making runs down the left to tire Aylesbury. The pace of Amelie and Ellia Gurney was also causing problems, and Henley finally got the breakthrough; Harri’s shot at the back post bundled home by Hayley after a good save from the keeper.

The pressure was maintained, not least from the now very high defensive line of Sophie, Giorgia and Jenny Buckham-Hedges tidying everything up and playing balls back forwards to get attacks going again.

A few minutes later and a slick short corner was finished on the post by Hayley again - Henley looked much more comfortable.

Time for one more Henley goal, a surging run coming in from left midfield by Hayley saw her find Chloe in the D, who feinted to the keepers right to slot home.

Aylesbury popped a goal home to make the final score 4-2, but it was now party time again for the back to back league champion Ladies 2s with champagne sprayed over players and supporters alike. The team look with ambition to the next league up next year. It has been an incredibly successful year for the Ladies 2s, finishing with 14 consecutive wins to seal the title - the team have not dropped points since mid November and have had a lot of fun on the way, the team spirit palpable throughout.