The youngest men?s club in the Hockey Federation captured their first league title after playing a double header weekend against last year?s league champs and their chief rivals for the 2004/5 season.

The Panthers needed two wins in two days to secure the title from the ever-dangerous Chameleons ? and they found them, winning 7-1 over Rebels and 2-1 against the Reds.

Panthers first faced league defending Rebels, who have struggled this season to adjust to the new turf.

Panthers dominated possession and good approach work from Mark Ray and Stephen Troake soon set up Matt Spencer, who converted from close range.

A second strike came on a short corner as Justin Barritt popped up unmarked at the post to slot in a low, hard sweep.

Troake coolly converted a penalty stroke six minutes later, then Ray converted from close range after unselfish work from Victor Anton found him free in the circle.

Up 4-0 at the break, Panthers came out confident and Ray doubled his tally against his old club.

But Rebels have been around long enough to know when to change their strategy and this they did ? basically playing without any defence.

Rebels soon dominated the midfield and forward line while the Panthers struggled to get the ball out of their half.

Possession gave Rebels opportunities on goal and they eventually converted from close range as Lednor, unmarked, placed the easiest of taps away.

But Panthers registered two more strikes from Anton and Ray to seal the match.

Panthers rival for first, Chameleons, were also playing Saturday to stay in the title race but a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Polecats ended their run.

Panthers took the field on Sunday against Chameleons knowing they had already wrapped up the title.

But the team did not let up in their final match, dispatching the Chameleons 2-1 under bright sunny conditions.

The game started at a frantic pace with the teams playing as if the title was still on the line. Panthers drew first blood when Spencer converted a penalty stroke after good work from John Lake, Donnie Madeiros and Mark Ray.

The services of key playmaker Ray were lost however when he was expelled from the game for ungentlemanly conduct.

This left Panthers wanting in midfield, especially as captain Stephen Troake was rested for the game.

Rising young star Andrew Smith converted a penalty corner in the second half to give Panthers a two-goal cushion, however.

Chameleons threw caution to the wind and went in search of a goal.

But Panthers repelled everything until finally Jonathon Dodd converted from close range. A levelling goal was not found, however, and Panthers closed their winning season on a high note.

The women?s B title also went down to wire, with Swallows needing two wins to nip past Cardinals for first place.

On Saturday, Swallows faced the Swifts, who fielded a very strong line up. Swallows were undaunted and half way through the first half Melanie Burns converted a penalty flick to open the scoring.

Tension rose in the second half when Swifts scored an equaliser on a fantastic short corner routine but Swallows did not lose their cool.

The winning goal was found when Annaka Rubridge converted a hard cross from Nicola Wilkinson.

Swallows still needed another win to wrap up the title and they found it in a decisive 4-0 showing against Orioles on Sunday.

From the starting whistle, Swallows pulled out all the stops.

The defensive line proved impenetrable with strong performances from both Orla Travers and Jane Appleyard.

Swallows first goal came from a short corner routine, perfectly executed by Ellen Colliery and Kim Brown to be smashed in by Edel Kirwan.

Swallows soon caught fire and Kirwan converted another short corner.

Colliery popped another into the net and then Brown converted Swallows last short corner of the season to finalise the score.

The league will be in action through Sunday in the annual Knock Out Cup tournament before breaking for the summer months.