West Clubs Women’s North

Cirencester Ladies 3

Westberries II 0

THE top two ladies' teams at Cirencester Hockey Club were in action at the weekend, with both clocking up further wins in their respective leagues.

For the ladies's first XI it was a game of attrition.

From the start Westberries seconds played with a very defensive structure which Cirencester found hard to work around.

Cirencester failed to use the width of the pitch enough and attacks down the middle were repeatedly thwarted by inaccurate passing and good tackling from the opposition.

Although Cirencester dominated possession in the opposition half, it was very crowded in the D, making it hard to score.

Eventually Kath Fry put Cirencester on the score sheet and this was followed by an excellent goal Michelle Cobb.

Cirencester began to use their width more, using defenders Izzy Webster and Elly Whitehead to play the ball around the back.

Hannah Denning showed her pace in the middle to create many attacking opportunities.

The game ended 3-0 to Cirencester after another great finish by Kath Fry completed the scoring.

Kath remains the club’s top goal scorer.

THE ladies' 2nd XI also continued their league winning ways with a 3-0 away victory over Newent, taking the team to the top of the Severn Division Two.

Cirencester’s defence was tested by numerous breaks from the Newent side but it was the away team that broke the deadlock through a strong strike from Amber Birkett.

Marking remained strong throughout and the half-time whistle blew with a scoreline of 0-1.

Following the interval, Cirencester attacked strongly, sticking to their structure to create space and deliver accurate passing.

The pressure on Newent told when a short corner was awarded and a timely slip to Jules Carter (captain) on the right set up the second goal.

It was netted by player/coach Rowena Marriott, even though the strike itself would have looked more appropriate on a cricket field. Nevertheless, it was 2-0 and confidence grew once again.

Newent attempted a comeback, however Cirencester’s third goal was to put an end to the home side’s hope of a point. Good team play starting with Ellie Jones was finished with a skilful reverse sweep flick from Izzy Clifford Holmes who was awarded a well-deserved Player of the Match.

De Cymru & The Marches One

Leominster 3

Cirencester 4

CIRENCESTER Men’s 1st XI continued their unbeaten league run with a 4-3 victory over Leominster.

The visiting Cirencester side dominated a tense and combative game that saw four Cirencester players receiving yellow cards.

Local youngster and MoM Kobe Thompson was peerless in the midfield, and there were two goals from Joel Brace, along with one apiece from Swedish international James Rydborn and Oliver Latter. However, not for the first time, Ciren eased up in the final five minutes at 4-1 up. Despite heroic goalkeeping from England Master Dave Webb, two further late goals set up a nail-biting finish.

Elsewhere, the men’s teams did not fare so well. It was top versus bottom for the 2nd XI who were overcome by fast-running Cheltenham-based Cleevillians who scored 13 without reply. The 3rd XI had a closely-contested local derby versus Stroud A, losing 3-1 despite a cool finish from striker Robbie Webster.

The 4th XI held Winchcombe to 2-1 at half time after an excellent goal from James Boyle. However, superior fitness saw Winchcombe complete a rout with eight second-half goals to win 10-1.