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Football: Corsham Centre A were confirmed as Robson Taylor, Chippenham League Premier Division champions after they successfully held off the challenge of Holt on Sunday.

Holt were hoping to spoil Corsham's celebrations, which had started on Thursday after they defeated long time leaders Biddestone Social 1-0 thanks to a 70th minute goal from Simon Gray.

That same evening Holt had defeated Westbury Rangers A 4-2 thanks to a Rob O'Harrow treble and Neil Grant's single, so the Centre knew that they couldn't relax against Holt who were out to cause what would have been one of the biggest upsets for many seasons.

The Centre went into their match at Meriton Avenue knowing that a draw against Holt would be good enough to give them a third successive top flight title, that was providing that Biddestone didn't beat Bradford News by 20 clear goals.

After taking a first half lead, the Centre had too survive a few nervy moments as Holt threatened to be party poopers but two late goals saw them claim a 3-0 success and the winners crown.

A nervous Centre side huffed and puffed in the searing heat as the struggled to make a breakthrough despite having numerous chances to take the lead.

The deadlock was finally broken on 25 minutes when Rob Stephens struck from 12 yards, to ease the nerves of the Centre's players and supporters' alike.

The Centre knew that they needed another goal to make the game safe, but as the first half finish drew to a close chances came and went for the hosts to increase their lead.

The second period was just five minutes old when Holt were reduced to 10 players after they had Ronnie Frost sent of for a second bookable offence.

With the advantage of an extra man it seemed only a matter of time before the Centre would score a second, but it was Holt who went closest to hit the target and only a smart save from Nick Gingell who brilliantly turned an Oli Gee shot around the post on 60 minutes kept the Centre's slender lead intact.

Gingell almost went from hero to villain a few minutes later when he failed to collect a cross which seemed destined to end up in the net but was somehow cleared to safety, and that was the closest Holt went to scoring as the Centre eventually added their second in the 75th minutes when Holt's defender Andy Cryer failed to cut out a Shane Godsell cross and the ball fell to Liam Ralph who thumped the ball beyond keeper Roy Hewitt to make the game safe and Ralph was quick to celebrate his goal with Cryer who was lucky to remain on the park after a reckless challenge on Godsell resulted in a yellow card.

Ross Lye struck the post for the Centre before the inspired Simon Gray volleyed home a superb third for the Centre on the stroke of full time.

The Centre's manager Pete Ralph was quick to heap praise on his side which had been superbly led by captain Craig Gingell as they had played seven matches in 18 days as they fought to seal a League and Cup double, having already won the Wiltshire Sunday Cup.

Match referee Neil Fautley was excellent in the middle and was deserving of the praise that was given to him, by the teams and supporters alike.

9:44am Monday 12th May 2008

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