ALTONA Seagulls have proven a cut above the rest in the Hockey Victoria women's state league 2 and will make an immediate return to the top tier of Victorian women's hockey.

The Seagulls sewed up the minor premiership and automatic promotion on their long journey to Alexandra Park in Albury on Saturday.

They crushed the second-placed Albury-Wodonga 3-1 and erased the painful memories of last season's relegation in the process.

Seagulls striker Tegan Purser had a rare goalless afternoon, but it didn't matter.

"We go straight up next year and we've cemented our top spot," she said.

The Seagulls victory came on the back of goals to Stephanie Sarantis, Brittany Webster and Bronte Kerley.

Goalkeeper Taylah Brennan foiled a number of one-on-one chances to restrict the home side to one goal.

The Seagulls were wasteful on the whole but scored at just the right times.

"We had heaps of scoring opportunities and missed a lot. But we were able to put the goals in the net when it counted," Purser said.

The Seagulls have unfinished business to attend to in coming weeks.

They are hellbent on finishing the season undefeated and can achieve that in the western suburbs derby with Footscray at JK Grant Reserve on Saturday.

There is also the small issue of a finals campaign and the chance to go up as premiers.

■Altona Seagulls had its state league 1 berth locked up for 2011 and Albury's worst fears of relegation were realised.

The Seagulls had to come back from 3-1 down to secure a hard-fought 4-3 win.

Victorian youth representative Chris Coleman scored a double. The long preseason starts now for the Seagulls.

Lance Jenkinson