JUBILANT skipper Scott Santamera paid tribute to the consistency of his side after Windermere were crowned North West Hockey League Division Two champions – their fourth title in as many years.

Sam Whitehead scored twice as Mere comfortably brushed aside bottom of the table Bangor University, with Richie Jackson and Mark Kendrick also on target.

Having lost their opening two games of the season to Bowdon and Prescot, Mere have only failed to win four of 19 matches, with Santamera already eyeing further silverware.

“We had a bit of a bad start and weren’t playing well at all until the third game when we started to put the ball away,” he said.

“Once we found our feet it was then a case of keeping that consistency going throughout the season.

“We more or less pick from a squad of 15 each week and keeping that consistency of players has been massive in assisting us play well on a regular basis.

“We started out in division ten and there have only been two years when we haven’t managed to get promotion in all that time so it’s been a case of quick progress.

“It was great to get the win and take the league championship but we now move on and our aim is to retain our Cumbria Cup title in a few weeks.”

After a couple of early chances from short corners, Jackson smashed the ball into the side netting to give Mere the lead following an aerial pass from Keenan Quill.

The away side doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, Whitehead skilfully advancing into the D before slipping the ball under the advancing keeper.

Just before the break, Whitehead struck again as he lifted the ball over a committed keeper after a strong run down the base line.

Dom Quill, Keenan Quill, Joe Kay and Tom Maloney all produced a solid defensive performance, laying the foundations for Kendrick to fire home on his first appearance of the season.

“It was a pretty comfortable game in general, Bangor are going down in truth so are just playing out the last few games of the season,” added Santamera.

“All our lads played pretty well and the opposition didn’t have too many chances to score whereas we created quite a few so it was quite relaxed. The result was never in doubt to be fair once we got the first goal.”