Weston-super-Mare Hockey Club Ladies fell to a 3-1 defeat by local rivals North Somerset Gryhons in the West Women’s Brunel Division One last Saturday. 

After a respectful two-minutes silence Weston looked confident and focused in the sunshine flooded pitch at Gordano. 

North Somerset took the lead when they overloaded Weston’s defence to score past Goalkeeper Lucy Smale. 

North Somerset doubled their lead when positional marking mistakes were made by Weston and the visitors broke through and once again gave Smale no chance. 

Weston fought back and looked to have got one back before half-time. 

Grace Clifford found Clare Dale, who scored through the goalkeeper’s legs, but celebrations were quashed after a late umpire decision and the goal was disallowed. 

Weston did score when they were awarded a short corner, delivered by Emily Vickery to Aimee Grimes to get on the scoreboard.  

Substitutions were made and an unfortunate drop in focus lead to players being unmarked, freeing North Somerset to challenge Smale, who made a diving save only for a rebound attack to be chipped over the top of her to make it three. 

Weston's teamwork persevered, immediately returning the attack to find Grace Clifford in the D with a slight touch into the goal but once again the hosts had a goal disallowed as they fell to defeat.