News

Whitchurch Saints 1s v Gwent Hockey 1s - Match Report Sat 27th (submitted by Noelle Cramp)

On an unseasonably warm Saturday the Saints 1^st XII took on Gwent. Having lost to them twice last season Saints were keen to take points from this away game.

Saints started well with good intensity from the whistle with the press working to limit out-letting options for the Gwent defense. Any early half breaks Gwent did manage were cleared easily by a composed Saints back line.

Saints scored first with Kat Hunter skillfully controlling an opportune aerial ball from Lucy before passing to Sara who was successful in putting the ball past the keeper.  Turning defense into attack Liv narrowly missed out on her first goal of the season, rewarded instead with a broken nose from a ball off her own stick at the back post. 

Gwent were lucky against the run of play to manage a breakaway resulting in a short corner which was successfully converted to draw level. Saints undeterred continued to apply pressure reaping the rewards before half time when Lori swept the ball to the back post where Kat was on hand to casually deflect into the goal.

Having bid farewell to Liv who was escorted to A&E at half time Saints composed themselves ready for Gwent to come out fighting in the 2^nd half. It was a tense half on both sides with the high pace maintained and Gwent making good use of their extra substitutions as Saints gradually began to tire having run the whole game. There were nervous moments for Saints as the umpires halted play to discuss a controversial goal which was eventually disallowed to keep Saints in front.

In spite of some great goal keeping by Morgann, exercising great anticipation in coming to the edge of the D twice to thwart the Gwent attack, a win for Saints was not to be. Again on the break Gwent seized an opportunity to draw level. Spurred on by this they continued to attack but could not breach the Saints defense again, leaving both teams with a point at the end of an energy sapping game.

Players of the match: Morgann and Lori

DOTD: Liv