Winscombe consolidation their position in the Central Division next season with a 4-2 victory over Old Bristolians.

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 4

Old Bristolians Ladies 2

NEWLY promoted Winscombe ladies put on a show of quality hockey to secure an excellent win against strong opposition and consolidated their place in the Central Division next season.

Penalty corner routines and converted chances were to be the deciding factor in this match of high quality, end-to-end hockey, which left no time to draw breath.

Winscombe got off to a good start with captain Kelly Clark and Caroline Marsh working well in the middle of the pitch. They won a short corner which Clark converted to take an early lead.

Old B’s responded and Winscombe’s soon had to defend strongly with Caitlin Flood and Claudia Routhorn-James having to make some quick defensive runs to hold up play.

Julie O’Sullivan and Michelle Isgar fought hard to defend Winscombe’s D, but could not prevent the opposition from equalising.

Winscombe continued to apply pressure, winning another short corner, this time converted by Leanne Gardner for a 2-1 lead at the half-time whistle.

In the second half, play was end-to-end. For Winscombe, Jade Berry and Gardner made numerous runs to create space which paid off when Marsh fed a superb ball through to Sarah Holland, who slotted past the sprawling Old B’s goalie.

Winscombe fought hard to maintain possession, resulting in a perfect pass finding Chloe Brown. Her cross found Gabriella Richardson ready to sweep the ball clinically home to further increase Winscombe’s lead.

Old B’s responded with some strong attacks and several penalty corners, but were thwarted by the Winscombe defence and goalie Kate Walker, but the pressure told and Old B’s scored a second shortly before the end of the match.

Joint players of the match were Kelly Clark, Caitlin Flood and Leanne Gardner.

Cheddar Ladies 1st XI 9

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 0

HAVING previously lost 6-0 in an earlier match in the season to Cheddar, who are at the top of the league, Winscombe’s task was not made easier as they were missing key players.

However, the match allowed an opportunity for a promising young Winscombe defender, Rachael Wallis to step up and play alongside Jodie Honour in defence. Winscombe soon found themselves 3-0 down as Cheddar moved the ball around quickly up front, winning a succession of penalty corners which were all converted.

Winscombe did have a few chances of their own through shots on goal from Trudie Lynham, Hannah Quantick, Becky Matthews and a super strike from youngster Chantelle Miele, but unfortunately were unable to make this pressure count.

Cheddar continued to press and play well, scoring six more goals. Credit must go to the younger Winscombe players who produced some exciting and strong play and did themselves proud in face of a more experienced Cheddar side.

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 0

Mid Somerset 2nd XI 3

WINSCOMBE thirds took on second-placed Mid Somerset, after having lost 7-2 earlier in the season, in what was to be a bruising, physical encounter.

Midfielders Gill Harvey, Roxy Newman, Helen Sinclair and Emma Whitehead attacked with confidence, feeding the ball to wing Hannah Hussey who made some excellent runs.

Jo Hann marshalled the Winscombe defence, well backed up by Sarah Kempster and Amy Cheeseborough, but Somerset scored a scrappy goal.

A fine display by goalkeeper Jo Sawtell was crucial in keeping the score down and at half-time, Winscombe were 2-0 down.

In the second half the same pattern of play emerged, with Winscombe able to apply pressure and then play swinging in the opposite direction, with Mids attacking and putting the Winscombe defence under pressure again.

A quickly taken free hit, caught Winscombe napping, and allowed the Mids attacker to run into the D unchallenged and score the third and final goal of the match.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the match was Jo Sawtell.

Weston Ladies 2nd XI 2

Taunton CS 1

WESTON ladies seconds travelled to play Taunton Civil Service and came away with a narrow victory.

They started well with Izzie Jeffrey, Jas Ash, Emily Watkins, Jade Brown and Kate Watkins working hard in midfield, to play the ball forward to Savana Trowell and Sophie Lanham up front.

Taunton scored an early goal, but Weston fought back with a goal from Lanham. Demi Reading, Ellie Etchells and Beth Gambling defended brilliantly and stopped Taunton from scoring again, while Chloe Cowell made some amazing saves in goal. A goal from Etchells ensured three points for Weston.

Mercedes player of the match went to Sophie Lanham.