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Whitchurch Saints 3s vs Whitchurch Saints 2s - Match Report 10th October 15'

Result: WSLHC 3s 0 - 1 WSLHC 2s

Whitchurch Saints 2s had a difficult task on Saturday – they faced a highly competitive intra-club contest against Saints 3s. Saints 3s were buoyed by a strong performance in their previous game, and welcomed the return of Rebecca Daniels, following concussion sustained on the hockey field.

In what has always been a historically challenging game, the 2s came away with a 1-0 victory despite the ball having a strong aversion to the opposition backboard.
 
The 2s started well, with fantastic play by Kate “Ginge” Nicholson and Cat Fenton, both of whom controlled play from the screen and sent great balls up the wings through Bethan Moorcraft and Kat Lenan.
 
Fiery play by Gwen Nicol, Amy Bowen and Menna Poole up front put the 2s in touching distance of the first goal. But strong defensive play by the 3s back line of Val Fender, Rosie McBride, Julie Young and Becca Daniels and some cracking keeping by Claire Stewart made it difficult for the 2s to cash-in on their possession and attacking position.
 
Frustration was rising until a great ball across the D by Kat Lenan resulted in a well-earned goal for the 2s forward Menna Poole. 

The 3s created an opportunity or two on the break, resulting in a short corner which the 2s managed to survive to finish the first half with a 1-0 advantage.
 
The second half produced a similar story. Bursts of flair by Megan Thomas up the left produced glimmers of hope but the 3s defence remained solid. Playing the same formation as the opposition and sharing short corner routines made it difficult for the 2s to capitalise on attacking situations.  But once the ball was moved quickly with two-touch hockey and some excellent transfers around the defence, they found themselves playing positive hockey once more.

An excellent save on the line from the Becca Daniels denied Jude Livesey her first league goal of the season and kept the 3s in the game right until the final whistle.
 
This was a fantastic game of hockey that was played in high spirits and proves just how strong Whitchurch Saints hockey club has become.
 
MOM: Ginge (2s) and Val Fender (3s)
 
DOD: Vikki Stroud (2s) and Becky Lemos (3s)
 
SCORER: Menna Poole