East Grinstead retained their elite division status after a day of mixed emotions in the Euro indoors at the K2 in Crawley.
The hosts will play Hockey Club Valenciennes in their final match of the EuroHockey Indoor Champions Cup tomorrow knowing they are already guaranteed survival on their return to the A division.
A 4-3 over Kolos-Sekvoya Vinnitsa combined with the 6-2 result against Partille from their earlier pool game which was carried over means they will not be one of the two teams going down from the relegation pool.
However, the day began in huge disappointment as they missed out on a place in the semi-finals in agonising fashion.
In what was effectively a play-off to reach the semi-finals, Grinstead lost 6-5 to Racing Club de Bruxelles.
Grinstead had a chance to snatch a draw which would have taken them through but Simon Faulkner’s penalty stroke right at the death was saved.
In a match where the lead changed hands on several occasions, Niall Stott (two), David Condon, Adam Jordan and Ross Stott were the Grinstead scorers.
Grinstead put that disappointment behind to be Ukranian champions Kolos-Sekvoya Vinnitsa later in the day to ensure another season in the top tier.
Goals came from Niall Stott (two), Joe Naughalty and Hendrik Geyer.
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