Doncaster 3 , BR Badgers 2, The success of the Badgers is not judged by league positions but by the progress of the its young players. Although they lost this close encounter against strong opponents, the hockey club as a whole can take heart that another batch of youngsters are ready to challenge for places in higher teams next season.

Goalkeeper Andrew Garrity had another fine game, Simon Timperley and Simon Pantelli are learning quickly about defensive duties, and midfielder Kieren Borrett is contributing more and more with each game he plays. Up front, Ryan O'Keefe had his best match to date, crowned with a fine individual goal.

At right midfield Tom Birtwhistle has grown in stature over the year and deservedly was voted Man-of-the-Match for his skillful link-up play and impressive fitness.

In the match itself, the Badgers twice came from behind to equalise, first with O'Keefe's strike and then with a welcome goal for Grummitt.

Legolians 1

BR Ladies Thirds 0

Ben Rhydding Ladies Thirds travelled to Castleford for their league fixture against Legolians, knowing that a win was essential for survival in their league as they were only one point above their opposition and had played the same number of games.

Ben Rhydding started well, again with a re-shuffled team, the versatile Mary Pawson at centre defence ensured that Legolians' centre-forward saw very little of the play and it didn't take Laura Beardsmore long to settle in her unfamiliar sweeper role.

After half-time, the game was very evenly poised until unfortunately following a superb run down the right wing by Legolians, the cross into the circle was well met and put into the back of the net.

Ben Rhydding replied with excellent passing moves, Karina Kilner battling for every ball and linking well with Beth Pawson on the wing.

Ben Rhydding continued to push forward in an attempt to score and were camped in the opposition's circle for the last 15 minutes.

Following a superb run by Laura Beardsmore Ben Rhydding forced several short corners but it just was not their day and they were unlucky not to score just as the final whistle went!

B R Ladies Thirds 0

Chapeltown Ladies 1

Ben Rhydding Ladies Thirds entertained Chapeltown Ladies in the quarter- final of the Yvonne Horner Shield, the visitors being top of League Three.

Ben Rhydding started well using excellent passing moves but quickly realised that the standard of hockey in this game was well above that which they were used to and consequently they raised their standards, giving the spectators some enjoyable hockey to watch.

Demy Dowley in midfield was exceptional, distributing the ball with great accuracy and Clare Oates, as sweeper let very little past her, making superb tackles to deny Chapeltown.

Following a free hit from just outside the circle, well saved by Jenna Appleby, it rebounded into the path of an incoming forward who pushed the ball into the back of the net.

After half-time, Ben Rhydding pushed forward for an equaliser and excellent play by both teams was seen.

Ellie Banks at right midfield had a superb game, linking well with Laura Beardsmore at right defence. Towards the end, following a great pass from Demy Dowley to Laura Beardsmore, Ben Rhydding were unlucky not to connect with the superb cross into the circle.

This was an excellent match played in great spirit. Ben Rhydding can be proud of their achievement, given that seven of their players had come straight from an Under-16 tournament in York to play in this hard-fought match. This match showed the superb team spirit and will give the team confidence for the next few league games.

Ben Rhydding U-18s 8

Richmond School 1

Ben Rhydding Under-18s had given Hull a 4-0 trouncing when they took the Yorkshire title, and were well prepared again by coach Hugh Lambert to do the business at the regional finals.

Richmond defended well and showed maturity and self confidence beyond their years in coping with the rampant Ben Rhydding players. Richmond had to work hard to wrestle the ball back from the BRHC forwards, who played a sharp, creative and dominating style of play.

It is a reflection of the Richmond perseverance that they did not allow Ben Rhydding an easy time, even though it soon became clear that a considerable slice of good fortune was needed by Richmond to come away from this game with anything other than pride.

Harmer, Parkes particularly, Musgrave, Birkenshaw and Lambert were at their best and Ben Rhydding gave a display of team work and individual skill that had spectators applauding with pleasure at the tactical moves and quality of play.

Goals from Musgrave, Harmer, and Parkes took BRHC into a 3-0 lead before Danny Cartwright responded for Richmond. At this point the game slipped quickly away from Richmond and BRHC 'keeper Oakes had little to do but try to keep warm as the Ben Rhydding players went to work with aplomb.

Further goals from Harmer (3), Musgrave and Parkes were the icing on a well prepared cake. Birkenshaw, with a little more luck, could have added at least three further goals, but sound defending and goalkeeping by Richmond did not allow Ben Rhydding to get too confident.

BEN RHYDDING (at Harrogate, 1.30pm): Weaver, Oakes, Gledhill, Foster, Cutter,Sugden, King, Parkes, Beckford, Kelly, Schofield, Hannath, Harmer, Musgrave, Bull, J Laxton.

Seconds (home to Chapeltown,3pm): TBA, Horsman, Bevington, A Gibson,Thompson, Locke, French, I Cussons, Hatfield, J Horsman, L Lambert,TBA,TBA.

Thirds (at Harrogate, 4.30pm): Pratt, Hudson, Jolly, Charters Logan, Vernon, Skinner, Baker, Sutherland, Gooch, S Laxton.

Fourths (home to Brigg on grass,1.30 pm): Parapia, Roughton, R Gibson, Chin,Pickard, Pawson, Birkenshaw, Zillesen, Blackburn, Sumnall, C Borrett.

Fifths ( v West Yorkshire Police, 3 pm): Funnel, Woodhead, Lowe, Barrett, Jordan, Ketterman, Hatton, S Forbes,Till, O Hall, S Mounsey, Metcalfe.

Sixths (home to Huddersfield on grass, 3 pm): M Briggs, G Briggs, B Dawson, A Packett, Masse, Hart, S Mounsey, Perfitt, A Hall, Harlen, G Forbes,Bancroft.

Eighths (v Rotherham, 4.30 pm): Dickens,Meredith,St John, Monkman, Colman, A Kelly, S Woodhead, Dowley, Latham, Grummitt, A Cussons, Ashdown.

Ben Rhydding Ladies Thirds (at Huddersfield Ladies, meet at White Cross at 10.30 a.m.) from: J Appleby, S Ellis, E Lowe, L Beardsmore, E Banks, M Pawson, B Pawson, A Ackroyd, K Kilner, C Chapman, R Ellis, J Steele, J Raw.