Knowing that just one win would be enough to see them promoted to the Premier League, on Saturday they took on East Champions Holcombe, a side brimming with internationals. As in the first game, Buckingham began poorly and were punished in the sixth minute when some sloppy defending resulted in the first shot of the match being deflected past Anna Searle in the Buckingham net. Things got worse just seven minutes later when Holcombe extended their lead from close range. Buckingham fought back and came close to reducing the deficit shortly afterwards but found Holcombe's Great Britain goalkeeper Maddie Hinch in inspired form. Although Buckingham were struggling to find their normal rhythm, the remainder of the half was an even affair with Buckingham unable to convert from two more penalty corners.
Buckingham began the second half brightly earning a corner in the opening minutes but once again the Holcombe defence stood firm. Both sides went toe to toe for the first twenty-three minutes of the half until Holcombe took the game away from with a flurry of goals in the final twelve minutes. First, Irish International Megan Frazer's fierce strike was deflected past the helpless Searle and two minutes later it was 4-0. This time Searle made a fine save from the initial strike but Great Britain international Laura Unsworth pounced on the rebound. Frazer fired home again two minutes later from Holcombe's fifth penalty corner to extend the lead further. However, Buckingham showed their fighting spirit as they immediately went down the other end but were once again denied by some superb goalkeeping and Holcombe rubbed salt in the wound when they scored again with just minutes remaining. It had been a frustrating day and whilst the scoreline did flatter the East Champions, Buckingham were fully aware that not only had they under performed but they had also come up against a Holcombe side in top from.
After resting up, Buckingham took the field again just twenty-three hours later determined that they would not let another opportunity slip through their grasp. This time the real Buckingham were on show playing with intensity on defence, tempo in attack and immense desire and spirit. The side began superbly with Jo Ellis and Katrina Nicholson causing the Sutton defence numerous problems. Nicholson forced a fine double save from the Sutton goalkeeper inside the first two minutes and she nearly scored again just a few minutes later. Buckingham were totally dominant in the opening quarter creating both open play and penalty corner opportunities. However, despite their dominance, it was not until the twenty-first minute that Buckingham finally opened the scoring when Shipperley fired home from a well worked penalty corner routine. Whilst Buckingham remained in the ascendancy until the break they needed to be constantly vigilant on defence as Sutton remained a threat on the counter.
Buckingham began the second half brightly but were soon reduced to ten players when captain Shipperley was temporarily suspended. This period allowed Sutton to get a foothold in the game and they came looking for the equaliser but could not find a way past Searle who made a couple of important saves during that period. Sutton continued to press hard but found Kitty Higgins outstanding and immoveable in the heart of midfield. Mid way through the half Nicholson was a whisker away from extending the lead but her shot on the turn drifted agonisingly wide. With Sutton only needing a draw to deny Buckingham a place in the Premier League, the last ten minutes were an incredibly tense affair. With just five minutes remaining a clumsy challenge gifted Sutton a penalty corner which was well defended. In desperation, Sutton withdrew their goalkeeper with four minutes remaining but Buckingham did not let them take advantage of the extra player as they maintained possession in the attacking end and won a penalty corner with three minutes to go. With no goalkeeper to defend, it seemed that Buckingham were bound to score, but the initial shot was blocked and Ellis saw her rebound strike smash into the crossbar and out of play. With ninety-seconds remaining there was still time for Sutton to equalise but Buckingham would not be denied. They pressed hard, won the ball back and immediately won another penalty corner. With forty-five seconds to go all those on the bench began to celebrate as they knew that the game was over. However, those on the pitch were not as certain and as the final seconds ran down, Shipperley fired the ball home to make the final score 2-0. Cue incredible scenes of jubilation and emotion as the squad piled onto the pitch to celebrate with one another. There were more emotional scenes and not a dry eye in the packed stand when the players jogged over to thank the large bank of family, friends and loyal supporters.
It is has been an amazing journey and is an incredible achievement for this squad of players (10 of whom have won four titles and played in all in four playoffs with another three having been involved in three)and for the club as a whole who 12 years ago only had one team playing in Trysports Division 2.