THE Basingstoke Buffalo will try to complete their season with the overall English championship when they face Altrincham Aces in a South v North final later this month.
The Buffalo booked their place with an 8-0 win over Bracknell Hornets on Saturday to complete five wins out of five in the play-offs.
By Christmas, the Gowrings, Datasharp, Safeway and Wella-backed side had completed a straight hat-trick of league titles, the earliest any team have wrapped up the English National League South title.
In all three of the club's league triumphs, the Buffalo have been coached by Ed Campbell, while his son, forward Drew Campbell, has led the scoring.
This year, the Buffalo have dominated the league even more than usual due to a strong set of forwards and good solid defence.
That strength builds from the back, with netminding duo of Craig Astill and Vicky Robbins. Astill is the top goalie in the league while Robbins represented Great Britain in the world championship in Italy earlier this month.
The defence is a good mixture, with Mike Newberry and James Broadhurst always catching the eye.
Michael Leary in his first full season with the Buffalo since moving up from the under-19 Bison has had a great year while the toughness is delivered by the likes of Ryan Cathcart, Steve Kochli, Ollie Beckwith and Andy Morgan.
Andrew Jordan has just returned after missing most of the season while at university and Beckwith has been out injured.
Leigh Baker and Ian Parsons have proved adequate cover, stepping into the defence when numbers have been short and both have been in good form this term.
Last season, the big Buffalo scoring line was Campbell, captain Anthony Page and Mark Jordan but this year the goals have been shared around.
The Simon Beere, Rob Etheridge and Darren Elliott line has caused endless problems and the trio always chip in with goals.
The fast-skating Dean Phillimore is always a danger on the penalty kill and has scored a number of short-handed goals this year.
New signing Andy Robinson and Gregg Wyatt have to be in the running for the most-improved player award this year and both have been finding the net on a regular basis.
Nigel Sheppard is a true team player and gives his all to the team, while Adrian Worship and Adam Franks have never disappointed when given their chances.
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