SALISBURY Hockey Club's ladies saw their title hopes evaporate when they came up against an ISCA Dragons side battling for survival.

Both sides were up for the fight, playing pacy attacking hockey from the outset.

But, ultimately, the fear of relegation proved stronger than the desire for promotion, a full-strength ISCA side edging out Salisbury, who at least had the consolation of ending the game knowing they'd given it their all.

The stage was set for an epic contest, with both teams firing on all cylinders.

ISCA were the first to find their feet and were rewarded with an early goal.

The set-back only seemed to strengthen Salisbury's resolve and they quickly restored parity.

Lisa Lovatt slipped the ball to Vicky Brewis, whose saw her first shot parried by the keeper but held her ground and no mistake with her second attempt.

Salisbury then fell into a steady pattern of play, applying consistent pressure to the ISCA defence. Chris Rowland-Jones hit the crossbar and numerous shots either hit the posts or were scrambled off the line by the ISCA defence.

However, having enjoyed the majority of the chances, Salis-bury were disappointed to concede again on the stroke of half-time, an unstoppable shot from a young ISCA forward catching them cold.

The restart again saw Salisbury fighting to regain control, each and every player going all-out to earn the three points they needed to be crowned champions.

But all their efforts came to nought, when ISCA scored again, leaving Salisbury with an impossible mountain to climb.

In spite of that, they continued to play classy hockey, earning a short corner.

Skipper Rowland-Jones' delivery smacked the centre of the backboard to restore a faint glimmer of hope.

Salisbury continued to pile on the pressure, but opportunities went unconverted and desperate defending from the hosts prevented them from troubling the scorer again.

For their part, ISCA marked the win with delighted celebrations, having earned themselves the chance to face Salisbury again in the same league next season.