Action from Watford of the clash between Manchester and Sheffield. Photo: Trevor Hyde.
Liverpool Lizards dominated at Watford today as they opened the defence of their British League women's title by defeating Caledonia 16-3 and City of Coventry 19-3. Coventry competed strongly with the top teams last season but were demolished on this occasion, falling 8-1 behind midway through the second period. The Liverpool goals continued to flow, with Katie Hesketh (4), Fiona McCann (3), Laura Hesketh (2), Beth Bolton (2) and Lauren Tasker (2) leading the way.
Action from Watford of the clash between Manchester and Sheffield. Photo: Trevor Hyde. After suffering a pounding at the hands of Coventry, Sheffield Sharks bounced back with a 15-5 defeat of West London Penguin.
The London team scored first but were then thoroughly outgunned. Bernice Cowton (4), Kat Parkin (3) and Elinor Weatherill (3) were all in good scoring form for the Sharks. City of Manchester built a 5-0 lead against Leeds Sharks by the early stages of the second quarter and went on to win 13-4. Promoted West London Penguin were outplayed by Otter when the women's Division 1 season opened at Watford today.
Otter, leading from the start, won 16-3. Their leading scorers were Lex Higlett (5) and Claudia Ferrone (3). The second game was equally one-sided - City of Coventry hammered Sheffield Sharks 19-3, with Claire Walmsley netting eight and Fran Clayton seven. Teams from men's Division 1 and 2 and Women's Division 3 should note that vehicle access to Ponds Forge, Sheffield, on Sunday, 27 September, will be restricted between 09.45 and 12.30 due to the Great Yorkshire Run.
With roads in the area also closed, it will be wise to add a little extra time to journeys. Women's Division 3 teams are also advised that some minor adjustments have been made to start times on 26 and 27 September. See fixtures page for details. Ealing staged a dramatic late rally to sneak a 10-9 victory over Grantham in men's Division 4.
It was 6-6 after three periods, but strong attacks from Grantham in the opening four minutes of the last produced goals for Max Clarke (2) and Tom Mendham to open up a likely winning lead of 9-6. Ealing immediately replied through ex-Sheffield player Tom Kelly and they were given further encouragement when Grantham missed a penalty. Michal Vrabec cut the margin to 9-8 with two minutes left - then Kelly settled it with goals that came with 40 seconds remaining, then just six. Hucknall's strong last quarter performance produced four goals and ensured a 12-7 win against Otter in Division 3. Young Danica Brazier ensured a second victory of the weekend for Mid Sussex Marlins in Women's Division 2 - 9-4 against Liverpool Liver Birds - by netting six times.
Marlins were always in control after building a 5-1 advantage in the first period. Liverpool were also thwarted by excellent goalkeeping from Amy Styles. A goal 46 seconds from the end by Rachel Endy gave Hucknall a 6-5 victory over Welsh Wanderers, who recovered from 5-2 down to level at 5-5 at the end of the third period. Grace Morley's three goals earned Tyldesley the points in a 7-4 defeat of English Roses. Watford were made to work hard for their second men's Division 3 win of the weekend at Ponds Forge.
They looked well on course for victory after opening up a 9-5 lead against York towards the end of the third period. But York then clawed their way back, levelling with four minutes remaining with goals by Nick Boaz (3) and Chris Burns. With less than two minutes remaining, Andy Holt's third goal for Watford ensured a 10-9 win. Exeter beat Southampton 16-10 in the same division, opening up a comfortable lead when their opponents lost a player to a brutality offence and another to misconduct. Impressive youngster Kamz Powell led the Exeter scoring with six. Former international Dave Edwards celebrated the start of a remarkable 40th season of National League action by scoring six goals in Cheltenham Spartans' 20-12 win against Bedford in men's Division 4 at Ponds Forge.
Another ex-international, Andy Holt, made a welcome return to action with Watford after a six-year break and helped his club defeat Exeter 14-12 in Division 3. Exeter paid for a sluggish start. They were 7-0 down early in the second quarter before coming to life. Lee Copley was again the dominant player as Leeds, back in BWPL after a couple of years' break, picked up their second win at Ponds Forge - 13-12 against Invicta Marlins.
Copley notched 11, taking his total for the day to 20. Marlins recovered from 10-5 down towards the end of the second quarter to trail 12-11 by the end of the third. Copley scored again in the last before Invicta replied 32 seconds from the end. In Division 3, Southampton held a narrow lead throughout against York City before winning 11-9. There was no stopping Hamish Crichton as City of Cambridge opened their men's Division 4 campaign at Ponds Forge today with a 12-7 victory over South Derbyshire.
He scored four in the first quarter and just kept finding the net. In the end, his contribution was NINE. Crichton is one of four present or former Cambridge University captains in the club team. Matt Foulds was Birmingham's sharpshooter in a 10-6 success against Hucknall, netting six. |
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