B Rhydding Ladies lls 0

Morpeth Ladies 1sts 0

After a gruelling three hour journey to Morpeth the ladies did well to take the field in positive mode despite a reduced warm up and stressful start.

Morpeth always provide sticky opposition as they are a team similar to Rhydding in make up, having a blend of youth and experience and playing a similar game with wily tactics at the back and fire in the middle.

The teams were deadlocked for the first 20 minutes with both sweepers sending the ball wide and both midfields breaking play down. Rhydding began to get the upper hand as Goodwin's deadly jinking opened a flurry of opportunities on the right but a run of corners were indifferent and it was a frustrated Rhydding side that went into the half-time break.

Rhydding definitely seemed to have the edge in the second-half but the flow and harmony up front was n't all it should be and the Morpeth keeper was not tested.

Dot Mainwairing sustained a flagging defence and weathered all storms in an effort to protect injured 'keeper, Hannah Topham. With thoughts of victory in their minds the girls had a final flurry of fiery possession and came so close to sealing it. A last minute breakaway forced Helen Fisher to channel the player reluctantly into HannahTopham who displayed great bravery and composure in dealing with what could have ended in a wrong result.

Morpeth are likely to be one of the strongest opponents for Rhydding this season and would be delighted with a 0-0 draw, Rhydding can accept it but will feel three points have slipped through their fingers.

Ben Rhydding selected a strong squad of U-16 girls to play in their first Yorkshire League Tournament at KC Stadium, Hull, on Sunday.

Ben Rhydding started confidently against their first opponents, Leeds showing some good attacking moves be-tween the midfield and forward line and were very happy with a 4-0 victory.

Normanby Park proved to be more difficult opposition as they intercepted well and were quick on the break. Claire Lilley took the lead for Ben Rhydding after a dazzling run on the left. Normanby Park equalised with a well-worked set piece and a 1-1 draw was the end result.

Ben Rhydding saved their best performance until last when they played Sheffield.

Both teams demonstrated fine hockey skills and masses of hard work and determination as play switched from end to end. Kim Chuah (GK) and Ben Rhydding defence absorbed a lot of pres-sure from the Sheffield forwards but remained calm and fo-cussed.

A cracking corner strike from Hannah Drakard put Ben Rhydding ahead to the delight of their supporters.

They were soon cheering again after witnessing 'the goal of the day'. Quick fire, one touch hockey in-volving several Ben Rhydding players resulted in Laura Pitts rocketing in a cross from the right wing for Carrie Wilkinson to slot home, giving Ben Rhydding a 2-0 victory.