After last week’s weather related postponements, it was great to have a full schedule of matches on Saturday with both high scoring and closely contested games taking place.
In Ladies Division 2 Athena Healthcare Harlequins Ladies B met Castletown Ladies D in a game that was competitive, hard‑fought from start to finish.
In the first half, Harlequins B struggled to settle into their rhythm, spending long spells on the back foot against a strong Castletown press but their defence stood firm, absorbing pressure and seeing off multiple penalty corners.
As the half wore on, Harlequins began to push forward and create attacking moments but both teams had goal scoring opportunities saved by strong defending and great saves by both GK’s Helen Cave (Harlequins) and Nicci Cain (Castletown). Both sides went into the break still searching for the opening goal.
The second half brought renewed intensity. Castletown Ladies D, sponsored by J Qualtrough & Sons Ltd., continued to apply pressure, helped by a bench full of fresh legs, while Harlequins had no substitutions available.
A determined team talk at half time sparked a shift and Harlequins returned to the pitch more focused, composed, and confident. As the half progressed, they carved out more chances in front of the goal, forcing the Castletown keeper Cain to make several important saves.
A spell of excellent link‑up play from the Harlequins’ forwards opened space in the D, allowing Ruby Crellin to calmly slot the ball in the goal and give Harlequins a 1–0 lead.
Castletown pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Harlequins dug deep, and held strong until the final whistle to secure a well‑earned victory, 1-0.
PotM – Evie Chapple (Athena Healthcare Harlequins B) and Rachael Cubbon (Castletown D, sponsored by J Qualtrough & Sons Ltd)
Ramsey B were up agains Cronkboune Bacchas C in the Mens Division 2. Ramsey B travelled with only 11 players in their squad and produced a performance full of grit and determination. Having lost 15–0 the last time these two sides met, this fixture showed just how far the Ramsey B team has improved this season.
Ramsey started brightly, applying fantastic pressure from the first whistle and putting Bacchas firmly on the back foot. Despite some promising phases of play and sustained attacking intent, Ramsey couldn’t quite find the breakthrough goal their start deserved and Bacchas led 2-0 at half time.
Defensively, Jed Scott made some awesome interceptions at key moments, cutting out dangerous balls and relieving pressure. In spite of a great performance by the Ramsey goal keeper, Richard Speight who pulled off a string of quality saves, Bacchas scored 3 more goals in the second half to take the win 5 – 0.
Bacchas scorers were Dan Stevenson (2) Jas Singh, David Cowley and Christian Davis.
Special mentions go to Will Kneen (Ramsey B) who made his debut after just three weeks of playing hockey, stepping in confidently and putting in a solid shift for the team and for Bacchas C, Myles Stevenson for his great energy all over the pitch
PotM – Richard Speight (Ramsey B) and Myles Stevenson (Cronkbourne Bacchas C)
Thank you very much to Athena Healthcare Harlequins Ladies B and Ramsey Mens B for supplying the match reports and to Paul Hatton Photography for allowing us to use his photos.
