Ben Rhydding 3

Timperley 3

BEN Rhydding Men's First XI began their North Premier League campaign with a hard-fought draw against Cheshire-based Timperley. This was a feisty affair that ended in controversial fashion.

With the score tied at 3-3, Ben Rhydding were awarded a last minute penalty corner. Veteran striker Mark Wood blasted the ball into the net but Rhydding's celebrations were cut short as the umpire disallowed the goal for a technical offence.

Earlier, the Ilkley outfit had the perfect start when David Cutter set up Luke Lambert who netted from close range.

Timperley fought back scoring twice in as many minutes capitalising on defensive errors. Rhydding responded in turn when first Lambert then Wood scored further goals to give the Yorkshiremen a 3-2 advantage.

In the second-half tempers flared and both teams had players dismissed to the sin-bin. It was Timperley who benefited and equalised with a rare attack to gain a share of the spoils.

Skipper Neil Sugden was upbeat saying: "We played very well and I was delighted with the performance of debutant Mike Rippon."

l On Sunday Ben Rhydding entertain Slazengers in the second round of the Hockey Association Cup.