Harleston Magpies are expecting a big crowd at Weybread as the men's first team take on the country's regional winners in a round robin with entry to the National League being the prize for the top two out of six.

Harleston Magpies are expecting a big crowd at Weybread as the men's first team take on the country's regional winners in a round robin with entry to the National League being the prize for the top two out of six.

Magpies have won their league convincingly winning twenty one of their twenty two games but now they have to go up a gear against other winners who have all completed their season with impressive records.

The first two games are played one home and one away before the final games are played at the ground of one of the most successful teams in the country namely Cannock.

Before that weekend at the beginning of May, Magpies take on South winners Fareham at home and travel to the national league side Hull, fighting to remain in the league.

Fareham visit Weybread on Sunday with a push back of 2.15.

Magpies have had a week away from competitive hockey and this time has been used very well on the training ground.

Robert Stimpson commented earlier this week: “After two seasons in which we came runners up in the league we have at last won the title but unfortunately for one season only, because of re-organisation to the league, there is no automatic promotion.

“We are certainly worth a place in the league - now we have to prove it over a five-game series. The squad have worked very hard all season with commitment at training and in games being high. We have to take that into our games and be consistent in our performances.”

Magpies have received reports on all their opposition including Fareham. Traditionally, the South League is the strongest of the regional leagues and Sunday's opposition have drawn one game, losing two and scoring 99 goals with conceding 32.

A club spokesman said: “There will be a difference in styles between the two sides. Magpies' no-frills approach, encouraged by a crowd likely to be the biggest at Weybread for a decade, is likely to put this group of local lads on the way to play-offs success.”

Magpies squad: Iain Martin, Leigh Sitch, Tom Sumner, Tristan Baynes, David Ling, Carl Sitch, Richard Ling, Neil Toulson, Chris Barber, Dan Stasin, Stuart Leate, Lawrence Baynes, James Fanger, Richard Gill, Andy Hipwell, Jimmy Wheeler, Andy Bedwell, Mark Lewis.