Saturday 3^rd November 2007
Result 4-3 to Barry

Team: Alys (Capt.), Vikki, Karlijn, Mel, Jenny, Carys, Kate McKoy, Emily, Mouse, Zoe, Chloe, JR and Emma Gowman

Despite last week’s defeat against Dowlais the 1s were ready for what was billed as potentially being a difficult match. Saints started strongly, with plenty of attacking play down both wings, with good running from Chloe upfront. However, Barry went into the second half with the advantage of leading 3-0 following goals from effective counter attacks. Half time gave the team the chance to change their tactics by playing higher upfield to create space. This tactic paid off as Saints were able to score two goals in quick succession to make the score 3-2. JR scored a lovely score off Vikki’s short corner strike, and young Mouse tucked away a strike from the left side of the ‘D’. Sadly, a mistake in defence led to Barry extending their lead within a minute of the Saint’s second goal. The defence kept Barry at bay for the remainder of the game, with excellent team-tackling, although Alys came off worse for wear off one challenge by colliding with Vikki! Saints were awarded with another goal on the final whistle, which was converted again by JR. Saints can take pride in their fightback, but their current standing of 5^th in the table needs to be improved on to ensure they only stay in Premier 2 for one season. 

Saturday 3^rd November 2007
Result 11-0 win for Saints 

Team: Cat (capt.), Mel, Liz, Elin, George, Annabelle, Carin, Rhi Cummings, Fi, Charlotte Camilleri, Lemos, Hammo and Lysette 

Following a frustrating start to the season, which resulted in no wins for the 2s, the squad were geared up for this match in sunny Bedwas. The team did not disappoint with their positive attitude to the game evident from the start. For the first ten minutes, the game was entirely in the opposition’s half, which culminated in the first goal for Fi Tibbitt. Three more goals followed in the first half with no answer from Cardiff Ladies. The second half started as the first half ended, with a goal within a couple of minutes. Six others were to come, including a stunning strike from Charlotte Camilleri and well-worked goals from short corner routines. The final result was 11 goals to nil, and while this did not reflect the fight that Cardiff Ladies put up in the second half, the 2s could have increased this lead with numerous chances that glanced passed the goal. Special mention goes to both Carin Skirrow and Charlotte Camilleri for scoring 4 goals and a hat-trick, respectively. Fi Tibbitt and Becky Lemos both bagged a brace. Cat was awarded man of the match. While the 2s should be proud of this result, which has improved their goal difference, the hard work needs to continue in order to produce wins week-in week-out.

Sat 3rd Nov
Result 5-0 win for Saints

Saints went into this game quietly confident having already beaten Bridgend 8-2 in a pre season friendly. This attitude benefited as Saints went 2-0 up within the first 5 minutes. Bridgend made a few surging runs in an attempt to unsettle the Saints defence but the score at half time was 3-0 Saints.
With a huge goal tally on our minds we started the second half very positively, and great attacking play from the forwards won a string of short corners where again the Bridgend defence Quote 'parted like the red sea' to allow Gaynor to slot one in the back of the goal. Persistence in the D meant that Saints scored again before the final whistle blew. A good performance by all.

Sat 20th Oct
Result 2-0 win for Saints

Saints struggled this week due to the late notice of U16 + U14 schoolgirl county matches - 4 senior league teams to put out and only finding out on Friday night that many of our youth players couldn't play for us as they had been selected for County. The 4s decided to pull out all the stops and Saturday morning at 8.15am asked Cookie to look for her moth eaten GK kit which was under the stairs and play in goal once again for us. This she did - thankfully!

Abergavenny fielded a strong side and Saints found it hard to cope with their strong runs down the middle, Saints found themselves defending deeply in the first half but managed to keep the score to 0-0 at half time. 2nd half saw a more organised Saints and due to hard work and real determination by the whole team scored 2 goals - the final goal off a short corner by captain Gaynor Gierak.

Saints player of match - Julie Cook

Next Saturday Saints travel to Carmarthen for a 2pm league game

Result: 0-4 (Saints win)

From the start the Saints looked the stronger side, maintaining a high percentage of the possession in the opponents’ half. The result of the first half, 2-0, consisting of an accurate and slickly performed penalty corner, putting Viki Hawkins’ name on the goal sheet and JR scoring from open play.

Good interlinking play started from the defence, passing through midfield to create chances up front. Alys Gwyneth and Thy Do controlling play from the centre of the pitch, and forwards Chloe Heyward, JR and Fi Tibbitt working hard in attack. Any Cardiff University possession was fruitless, as a steadfast defence prevented any shots on keeper Gez Charles throughout the match.

The Saints continued to dominate the second half; a mirror of the first. The score was increased to 3-0 with another excellent penalty corner routine. Well-executed, goal-rewarded penalty corners provided Saints with the confidence to settle, play their own game and capitalise in open play on the less cohesive freshly formed university side. In the last seconds, a fourth goal was scored by JR as she lifted the ball past the keeper into the back of the net from a narrow angle.

Despite the fantastic team performance, areas for improvement were identified in order for the team to strive on for promotion this season. The return match against Cardiff University will be one to look forward to, due to the excellent level of hockey displayed. Thanks to coach Jon Elliott for his support on the sideline.

Score 4-1 win

With three attacking players semi-injured (Emily, Fi and Zoe), new midfielder Thy feeling unwell and only one substitute, nerves were aplenty this morning for the first round of the Welsh Shield. Some quick phonecalls rallied some last minute players for extra support and the game started well with an early goal from JR quickly followed by a second from Cat. The nerves were gone and the whole team was focussed on winning. A flick was awarded in the first half to Whitchurch which unfortunately was saved by Cwmbran’s keeper. However Whitchurch continued to dominate the game by putting away another two great goals in the second half. Special mention goes to JR for her hat-trick of goals, excellent play from the youngsters (Emma, Rachel and Rhiannon) who held their own in the game and a strong presence in the midfield by the likes of Karline who did some great runs through the centre. Whitchurch 1s put in a fine performance all round today and walked away with a well deserved victory of 4-1.

Result Draw 1-1

The first league match for the 1s started really well with the team gelling together from the off. Great play built from the back, flowing through the midfield and resulted in a great finish by JR putting away a goal the other end. Unfortunately the strong start didn’t last as Whitchurch became a little unsettled in their play after the first 15 minutes. The opposition Llan & Llan used this opportunity by managing to score an unimpressive goal to equalise. After a quick motivational halftime team talk, Whitchurch dominated the entire second half forcing Llan & Llan to play very defensively. There were nearly a dozen opportunities to score which frustratingly just didn’t get past the keeper. Despite both umpires commenting at the end that Whitchurch should have been the clear winners, the final result was a draw.

With the League starting in a week’s time, this friendly game against Penarth 2s was a perfect warm-up. It was also a first with Helen, previously in Whitchurch 1s playing for the opposition. With new club members and youngsters Mouse and Carys, the first half started a little disjointed but soon started to pick up as the team play became more fluid and attacking. Some great runs were made by Emily that eventually led to a close shot that crossed the goal skimming the line by millimetres. A quick talk at half time called for more structure in play and speed in setting up presses. Unfortunately Whitchurch started the second half 2-0 down but saw more action with all players pushing themselves 100%, noone more so than Chloe. Emily finally put away the goal she was robbed of earlier and Meleri the goalkeeper was injured and had to come off. Luckily, Jez who had only come to watch, was ready on the side to rush in and lend a hand (shortly after kicking off her flipflops and playing in trainers and jeans!). Despite the hardwork of the 1s, the final score unfortunately did not quite reflect the game as everyone put in a great performance and the two sides were more evenly matched. With improvement of team fitness and further training, Whitchurch 1s are ready to push for promotion this season.

17/09/07

Venue - WHS
Time 3pm
Umpire - Julie Cook

Result 0-1 loss

Team - Gez, Moira, Gaynor, Elen C, Maxine, Vannessa, Vikki S, Rochelle, Amy, Alice, Helen C, Amy, Lucy R, Ceri S, Avril

Saints fielded a much changed 4th team and with Newport turning up with a very experienced side and Saints only having 3 experienced seniors in the side it was always going to be a tough battle. However, Saints didn't let this daunt them - it was a tough but clean game for the juniors and hopefully they will have come away from this match having learnt a lot about senior hockey and ready to play senior league matches when the league starts for the 4s beginning of October. A big thank you goes to Newport for a good Sunday runabout - well some ran but most of us jogged!

Mom for Saints - Maxine Landeg

16/09/07
Venue - WHS
Time 10.30am

As Chepstow cancelled this match on Thursday night the 2nds were stuck for their first friendly of the season. With the league only 2 weeks away something had to be sorted! It was decided the 2s would aim to get 22 players to the pitch on Sat morning and play a 11 a side game against each other for match fitness - this they did - this was an useful session as the captains/managers were able to look at players for selection purposes.

08/09/07

Venue - WHS
Time - 10.30am
Umpire - Julie Cook

Result 5-2 win

Team - Elan, Moira, Lynn, Lowri, George, Emma D, Liz, Kath M, Eleri, Becks, Claire H, Charlotte C, Charlotte H, Elen C, Elin B, Sarah L.

This was a last minute friendly fixture for the 3rd team - Saints played a few 'older' heads with some new juniors. It proved to be an even match with both sides enjoying plenty of possession. Saints were a bit like headless chickens in the first half but after a stern talking to by their coach things improved greatly in the second half.

08/09/07

Venue - Bryntirion
Time - 1pm
Umpire - Jane Rowley

Result 8-2 win

Goal scorers - Gaynor 2, Avril 2, Emma G 2, Nia Mc 1, Marianne 1

Mom - Avril Gowman