Trojans title winning girls are facing a massive step up in standards, but should be good enough to hold their own in the top flight of English Women's hockey next season.

That's the view of Alison Wakefield, one of two survivors of the Trojans team that played in the Premier League back in 1996.

"Most of the sides are brimming with international players - but we've got a few too.

"I can't see us struggling to survive. We are more than capable of holding our own.

"We've got a very young side with some excellent players," she said.

Trojans will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Slough, Leicester, Canterbury and top Midlands club Olton next season.

"We will be involved in some top hockey, there's no doubt about that and the games at Wellington will be well worth watching.

"Promising players like Alex Danson, Steph Farmer and Sara Ellis will come more into the limelight and playing at the top level will surely enhance their International prospects," she said.

Trojans have a five-month breather before setting off on their Premier journey - but this weekend the whole squad is off to Cornwall to celebrate a couple of birthdays.

"Lou Carter, our coach, and myself, reach the ripe old age of 30 this weekend, so we are all off to the West Country for a celebratory weekend.

"It's been a hard graft. We've put in an enormous amount of effort into winning this league and now we need to unwind," Wakefield said.