Newly-crowned Women’s North Premier League hockey champions Ben Rhydding are to say farewell to their top scorer Jo Ellis.

The Great Britain international, who scored twice in Saturday’s 7-1 final game triumph over Wigton, is taking up a teaching appointment in Oxford.

Ellis, who has scored 31 goals this season, has been a key figure in her team’s success.

She only rejoined Ben Rhydding in September after leaving Premier League side Reading.

Ben Rhydding captain Jodie Bridger said: “We are all sad to see Jo go. She has been fantastic for us this season.

“It hasn’t just been about the goals she scored it was her all-round player and general input that we have benefited from.

“Obviously we now be looking to recruit somebody to take her place. We are currently looking at the squad for next season and are looking at a couple of new players who can help us in the National League.”

Saturday’s emphatic win, which was watched by a large and appreciative crowd, saw Ben Rhydding take their goal difference to 104.

Coach James Ross had set them the target of achieving a goal difference of 100 and Bridger said: “It was nice to reach the target on the final day, but it is typical of the standards we have set ourselves that we were disappointed to let a goal in.”