YORK...................3

Ben Rhydding.4

Ben Rhydding Ladies emerged victorious from a thrilling encounter with old rivals York which sees the Ilkley side go through to the semi-finals of the National HA Trophy competition for the first time ever.

Despite a hard-fought league game the previous day Ben Rhydding started the game strongly and enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.

Matches between these two sides are typically close and this was no exception. It was captain Jackie Goodwin who put Ben Rhydding into the lead with a superb solo goal.

She beat a number of players as she worked her way into the 'D' and slipped the ball past the York 'keeper. Ben Rhydding failed to make the most of the majority of possession in the first -half, however, and at half-time the game was still finely balanced at 1-0 to the visitors.

In the second-half Ben Rhydding continued with some excellent build-up play as the midfield combination of Goodwin, Jo Wilson and Melanie Scott created several openings, ably supported by Jackie Barrett with some strong runs down the right flank.

It was Goodwin who fired her side further ahead with a fine strike from the edge of the area as York were temporarily distracted by an injury.

York responded strongly, and put themselves back in the game with a thunderous strike high into the net which gave 'keeper Clare Britcliffe no chance.

The visitors were not about to hand over advantage, however, and within a few minutes increased their lead once more as Rachel Doherty latched onto a Scott pass to fire past the 'keeper.

Just as Ben Rhydding appeared to have the game sewn up, however, York proved they were not about

to give in, and reduced the deficit following a short corner. They then stunned their visitors with a well struck equaliser after a fine run and cross from the back line.

Ben Rhydding knew they must dig deep to avoid defeat, and rallied well as York piled on the pressure. However, Ben Rhydding's persistence paid off and at the stroke of full time they were awarded a short corner, knowing that failure to convert it would mean a period of extra-time.

It was left to Doherty to score possibly her most welcome goal of the season, as she neatly converted a Catherine French strike to put her side through to the next round.

Leyland Motors.....4

BR Ladies..............3

An exciting game of hockey with a disappointing final result for the Ben Rhydding Ladies. This loss means that their chances of winning the league, although not impossible, are now unlikely.

The home team started strongly and were a goal up within minutes - an excellently taken short corner.

However, Rhydding were soon back in the game when Jo Ellis scored a spectacular goal. The game was end to end, with Leyland always dangerous on the break but Ben Rhydding showing a fine display of attacking hockey with moves starting from defence moving quickly through the midfield to the speedy forwards.

Leyland went two one up when the Rhydding Ladies over committed in attack were unable to stop a breakaway run resulting in a goal.

However, minutes later Jackie Barrett in defence started a move down the left, feeding the ball to Melissa Reynard and it was Rachel Doherty who equalised. A third goal from Catherine French put the Ilkley side up at half-time.

The second-half continued to provide entertain hockey. The game could have gone either way. Melanie Thompson in an unfamiliar defensive position worked hard, assisting in switching the play from left to right to keep the game flowing. Anna Collins continues to improve her game and helps provides steadiness at the back. Jo Wilson and Jackie Goodwin worked tirelessly in the middle and the forwards continued to apply pressure throughout.

However, Leyland scored two further goals to gain a victory but even in the dying minutes Rhydding nearly equalised at a short corner never giving up until the final whistle.

Badgers...................1

Rotherham Sixths...5

This is the stage of the season when it is important to remind ourselves about the role of the Badgers team.

In a nutshell it is to give young players an early taste of men's hockey so that they can decide for themselves whether or not to take up the opportunities offered to play a team sport at a respectable level.

The Badgers is as much about finding the next but three social secretary of the hockey club as it is about finding the next England centre-forward.

That said, the Badgers have such a rich seam of talent that it is no exaggeration to claim that at least half the colts playing on Saturday will be representing the Ben Rhydding first team in a few years time.

In this match the Badgers fielded a team where eight of the players were 15 or under. The youngest was just 11 years-old. The scoreline merely reflects that the Badgers were up against an experienced Rotherham team who had more strength, experience and know-how in front of goal.

During and after the game Rotherham were fulsome in their praise of their much younger opponents.

The young Badgers' 'keeper Garrity gets better match by match.

The defence and midfield of Pantelli, O'Keefe, Chris Borrett and Oliver Hall tried as hard as they could and the attacking skills of Metcalfe, D'Abundo and newcomer Dunn caused the Rotherham team several moments of concern, particularly when Dunn finished a sweeping move out of defence by slotting home his first goal for the club.

However, the unsung star of the show is skipper Malcolm Birdsall who gives up his own time to mould the young talent into a cohesive unit who play smart hockey with a smile on their faces.

Adel Fifths..............2

B Rhydding Fifths...7

After a lack-lustre performance last week, Rhydding came back with a bang. From the first whistle they turned on the pressure. Dawson and Mounsey created a number of chances. However, the visitors could not convert the pressure into goals.

Their frustration was complete when Adel stole a well-taken goal on the break. Dawson scored through a short corner to pull Rhydding level at half-time.

The story of the first-half was possession and missed opportunities.

The story of the second-half was glory. Adel began to crack as Ben Rhydding turned up the heat. Well taken goals from Till, Hornby and Charlesworth put the game beyond doubt.

Rhydding didn't ease off, Priestley and Jordan ensured that the home side couldn't get out of their own half.

Rhydding scored a further three goals through Bevington, Blackburn and Dawson.