HARTLEY Wintney were presented with the Combined Counties Premier League championship trophy for the second year in a row, after their latest win against Sutton Common Rovers.

This sparked joyous scenes with champagne being sprayed freely around the players.

Visiting Rovers sportingly applauded champions Hartley onto the pitch before the match.

The match had a distinctly end of season feel about it in a first half of few chances.

On nine minutes a corner on the right from Hartley’s Luke Perkins found the head of Adam New who saw his effort saved by Craig Bradshaw.

It was not until the 33rd minute that the Rovers fashioned a chance when good interplay between Michael Campbell and Sam Blowers set up Joe Mead whose shot went just over the bar.

A minute later, a long free-kick from Louie Paget found the head of Sam Argent whose effort went narrowly over.

Rovers then had a good spell and came close to opening the scoring on 37 minutes. An accurate free-kick from 25 yards beat the Hartley wall and Paul Strudley did well to parry, before Adam New completed the clearance.

The visitors came even closer on the stroke of half time. Matt Auletta created space for himself just outside the penalty box and delivered a thunderous shot.

The ball crashed off the inside of the post with Strudley beaten.

The Rovers claimed a goal and many spectators agreed with them in that the ball actually hit the stanchion at the top of the goal.

Hartley improved after the break but it was the Rovers who had the first shot on goal. Joe Mead set up a chance for Michael Campbell who saw his shot well saved by Strudley.

The Row then had a good spell of pressure and on 57 minutes a free-kick some 25 yards out from Dean Stow brought out a good save from Bradshaw.

A minute later, Argent and Shane Hollomby combined well before the former’s parting effort went wide.

Hartley broke the deadlock on 63 minutes with Jack French’s first goal for the club. Hollomby and Argent linked up well around the edge of the penalty box before setting up French whose low drive beat the outstretched arm of Bradshaw.

Three minutes later, the Row added a second. Hollomby sent an incisive pass through to Argent and the striker ran on to fire past Bradshaw.

On 78 minutes, Rover’s robust substitute Stefan Joseph created space and his cross found Campbell who saw his effort well saved by Strudley.

Joseph was again in action of a different sort with what looked like a physical assault on Louie Paget. With most expecting a red card; referee Zach Jacquart showed just a yellow.

On 84 minutes, the visitors pulled a goal back. Auletta made progress down the right and his cross found Campbell whose shot was partly saved by Strudley.

The Row defenders made great efforts to keep the ball from crossing the line. However, the assistant referee who was well placed signalled for a goal.

Two minutes later, Campbell went from hero to villain. A long ball saw a race between New and the Rover’s striker, which saw Campbell appear to throw a punch at New. The referee was on the spot and Campbell was issued with a straight red card.

The final whistle saw Hartley applauded from the field by the club faithful.

It has been a remarkable season for the Row both on and off the pitch.

Good teamwork is engendered throughout the club.

Considerable credit must go to the two joint managers Daniel Brownlie and Anthony Millerick plus coach Luke Tuffs.

The team were well prepared for every match both in fitness and attitude.

As a result they have already exceeded last year’s formidable points total of 106.

Tomorrow morning (11.30am), they are back in action away at Camberley.