Dereham hockey manager/coach Karen Cleaver has guided her side to promotion from Division IN of the East League - less than nine months after undergoing brain surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Dereham hockey manager/coach Karen Cleaver has guided her side to promotion from Division IN of the East League - less than nine months after undergoing brain surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Karen's fighting qualities off the pitch have been matched by those of her players on it, with Dereham recording their 16th win in 17 matches this season on Saturday to wrap up the title with five fixtures still to be played.

Mid-table St Ives had no answer to the home team's pace and power, with hat-tricks from Donna Causton and Hannah Palmer and one goal from Holly Allen securing an emphatic 7-0 victory.

Karen is delighted to be able to focus on her hockey so soon after having a brain tumour removed last June.

“It had been growing for 15 years and had reached the size of a golf ball so it had to come out,” she explained. “It was major surgery and left me deaf in one ear, but I was determined to get back as soon as possible and I was coaching the girls again in August. They are a great group to be involved with and I am so proud of what they have achieved this season.

“They thoroughly deserve to be champions and everyone is looking forward to playing at a higher level next season. But there will be no let-up now - we want to go through the whole season unbeaten.”