Now Ben Rhydding eye league title (From Ilkley Gazette)

Now Ben Rhydding eye league title

8:08am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport

Ben Rhydding’s men’s hockey team have clinched promotion back to the North Premier League.

Now their coach Demy Dowley wants them to wrap up the North One title as she eyes further progress for the club.

Ben Rhydding’s promotion halts a slide which saw them suffer two successive relegations in the previous two years.

“This is a big step in the right direction. But it is just the first one.

“The team has played really well this season and it was nice to wrap up promotion with Saturday’s 1-0 win over our main rivals Gateshead.

“There are three games to go and we need to do all we can to win the title as well.”

Dowley, who also coaches the England girls under-18 side, believes that big changes to the team’s ethos have brought about the success.

“Players know now that there is competition for places. If they don’t train or miss a video session they don’t play.

“In the past this wasn’t the case and it did have a big impact on our performances which saw us slide from the National League to North Division One.

“This success has been achieved through a lot of hard work from the players and people like my assistant coach Jono McMillan.

“The return to the club of Will Musgrave after his spell in the National League with Sheffield has made a big difference, while the experienced players Dave Carter, Dave Exley and Neil Sugden have helped the younger members of the side.

“Youngsters like George Sweeting have come in and made their mark. The signs are very good for the future.

“The club has a thriving junior section and it is important we work hard to bring them through to play in our first team. There is more work to be done.”