Womens 1 Vs Hockey Mens 050

Many thanks to JP for organising a Saints men`s >40s vets team to take us on as Kettering Ladies 1s had league comittments, the guys for a good, competitive friendly and also to our excellent umpires Helen and Phil.

Previous matches at end of season Club day have been closely contested (usually draws if I remember correctly!) and with 3 father and daughter rivalries the game was always likely to be competitive!

The ladies started the game the better, moving the ball well and attacking with pace. However they found Tim Poole on top form in the vets goal and additionally failed to capitalise on initial penalty corner awards. As pressure built on the vets, Katie Bates slipped free from the marking of her Dad to expertly lift the ball over Tim Poole for an excellent goal.

So just a slender 1-0 advantage for the ladies at the break. The vets enjoyed their best period of play early in the second half and equalised as Tim Sutton slid in bravely to convert on the far post. This induced a good response from the ladies who then began to dominate possession as they pushed forward in greater numbers. The vets threatened on the break, Mel Harding saving well when called in to action and the ladies restored their lead when Kelly Bingham converted at a penalty corner. It looked certain that the ladies would extend their lead when Charlie Churms instantly controlled Kelly Bingham`s fierce cross only for Charlie`s close range shot to be remarkably saved by the diving Tim Poole (Much akin to Gordon Banks vs Pele in 1970 for those of us old enough to remember!), in the vets goal.  

A good, enjoyable game, thanks to all and hopefully ideal preparation for next week`s league games and >50s Men`s Masters Cup vs Kettering on 20th January!