Both ladies teams gain promotion

Weston Ladies 1sts 3Ottery St Mary Ladies 1sts XI 1IN a fabulous weekend for Weston Hockey Club in which saw both the Ladies' 1st XI and Ladies' 2nds promoted, the Ladies' 1st XI took on second placed Ottery St Mary at home on Priory.Again Weston were slow to get started and Ottery applied all the pressure, Karen Dutton's run to the back post was left unmarked by the Weston defence and she had an easy tap-in to open the scoring.Weston re-grouped and began the play the ball around but at times were guilty of being caught in possession. A fine run by Lucy Clarke opened up the Ottery defence and she made no mistake with her shot.Weston took the lead when they were awarded a short corner and captain Vanessa Mawford's shot gave the keeper no chance. Weston then settled and began to move the ball with pace and caused the Ottery defence problems, Rosie Bellinger was a constant threat with her movement and Kat Brown battled hard on the left side of midfield. Weston were awarded another short corner after a bad tackle in the D and Laura Davies followed up the first shot to sweep the ball over the line.In the second half Weston continued to pressure but could not break down the strong Ottery defence. Ottery were also quick to break but some excellent defending and goal keeping from Weston's Sarah Langley-Wheeler thwarted their chances. The game was played out with end-to-end hockey but nether side could add to the score.Weston's player of the match was awarded to Rosie Bellinger. This Saturday Weston entertain Isca at home, 11.30 on Priory. Supporters welcome.Weston Ladies 2nds 7Winscombe Ladies 3rds 0WESTON 2nds celebrated their promotion in style with a comprehensive victory against local rivals Winscombe 3rds. A solid performance ensured the play was mostly in the home team's attacking circle.Weston had several openings where crosses skimmed across the front of the goal without being turned into opportunities on goal. Winscombe had several players behind the ball, making it difficult for Weston to have the time or space for direct shots. They won several short corners but were unable to convert these into valuable goals. Player of the match Lauren Sims opened the scoring when she slotted the ball past the keeper after a cross from the edge of the pitch. Once the first goal went in, confidence grew, and chances increased. Mich Alderidge scored her first of the game after striking the ball from the penalty spot. Weston attacked right from the defence, with the back line intercepting play and ensuring strong accurate passes down the wings to the midfield. Mich took on and beat two defenders at the edge of the circle and Leanne Gardner scored from the pass. Mich converted her second when she scored from a short corner. Sofe Lanham rounded up the scoring in the first half with a well-timed strike past the busy keeper. Winscombe fought back in the second half, with some tight defending, by Clem Wilmot, Lucy Tilden, Roisin Nigh, Alex Bee, vice-captain Becca Young who was player of the match, and goalkeeper Beki Williams, making it difficult for Weston. Their only chance of the game fell to Hannah Folkes, but the shot was saved. For Weston, Lauren Sims was outstanding on the right wing, regularly taking the ball to the back line before crossing into the circle. This paid off when she passed the ball to Hayley Blackborow who crossed for Leanne to score.The goal tally was completed when Mich completed her hat-trick with a well placed strike from the edge of the circle.For Winscombe, the midfield of Ange Tinnion, Claudia Stephen, Megan Hyden and Laura Harvey, linked the play as well as they could, while Amelia Bourton and Ella Horwood made some excellent runs, down the. Weston now go into their game against Taunton Vale 5 in the knowledge they are already promoted, but looking to make the gap between second and third wider and looking to further increase their plus 28 goal difference. Winscombe Ladies 2nds 4Exe 4ths 2WINSCOMBE started in confident mood it did not take long for Keri Willis to nip one past the Exe keeper from centre-D. Exe responded quickly to make it 1-1, but Willis scored again to make the half-time score 2-1. Winscombe held their positions on the pitch well, particularly when attacking, which meant all players had plenty of options and were able to use the width of the pitch. Gail Izzard, Caroline Glossop, Katie Davies, Fran Hall and Kate Burdge dominated the centre of play, moving the ball safely round the opposition and providing Helen Hegarty, Keri Willis and Trudy Lynham with great opportunities in the D. The strong defensive line-up of Jo Hann, Jodie Honour and Lucy James, plus Vicki Paget in goal marked their players well and efficiently cleared most balls out of the D, and back up to the mid-fielders. Willis scored again to complete not only her hat-trick but also her first goals for the club, and Lynham added one more. Exe responded with another goal in the last few minutes of the game, but could not equalise. Player of the match was Keri Willis.