Ladies' hockey team puts six goals past their North Wilts hosts (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Ladies' hockey team puts six goals past their North Wilts hosts

PUTTING half-a-dozen goals past their North Wilts hosts on Saturday has given Cirencester Ladies 1st XI hockey team renewed hopes in their endeavours to avoid relegation.

After the pressure of a long run of league games, Town started this on calmly, moving the ball about the pitch well and using breadth and width to break through a static North Wilts defence.

Although the visitors were presented with a number of early opportunities, they had to wait 15 minutes for that fluid, one-touch play that was to produced a lovely first goal.

The ball was played up to Heather Muir who took it to the back line and committed the defence before dropped it back for Jackie Tarry to slot home.

This was quickly followed by a short-corner strike by Heather Muir, which was deflected by an opposing player's stick high into the net.

The luck seemed to be with Cirencester as, in previous matches, this sort of goal might well have been disallowed.

Nonetheless, an unlucky raised ball a few moments later hit Town captain Nicky Gray in the head, necessitating a trip to hospital and nine stitches.

Right on the half-time whistle, a well worked short corner was popped into the goal by Julie Carter.

With a welcome 3-0 interval lead, Town began the second half as they had finished the first.

Heather Muir creamed a shot past the North Wilts keeper from the top of the D and Bryony Oliffe-Lee persevered in the attacking D to earn a close-range goal.

It was not all one-way traffic, though, there was some excellent defending at the other end, notably from Lisa Needs who made some stunning saves, and Vicki Rawlings, who twice cleared off the line.

Whilst making one of her many excellent saves, Lisa Needs injured her knee and was unable to continue.

A brave Ann Hart put on the keeper's helmet and was unlucky to concede a scrappy goal shortly after.

Cirencester continued to press for goals and Heather Muir finished off her hat-trick, netting a loose ball in the D in what was a pleasing performance.

Claire Gage was making a welcome return to first XI hockey, Town worked well and looked goal hungry for the first time this season.

The two injuries and nine stitches were unfortunate, but netting six goals should give confidence for the last run of league games where three out of four wins are required to stay up.