BEN Rhydding’s under-14 girls made club history on Sunday by winning their northern regional final in Chester for the first time and will now play on the 2012 Olympic pitch at Lee Valley’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Rhydding’s first opponents were the much fancied Beeston HC from Nottingham. After a solid start, Rhydding found themselves defending from deep, with Nisha Cant and Evie Malir solid in the centre of the defence.

Jemima Jagger, Sophie Armitage and Evie Malir all went close before Beeston scored the only goal of the game. Sophie Dale saved the first shot but the ball fell to an unmarked forward who slid the ball home.

Dale kept Rhydding in the game on numerous occasions, with a number of big saves. When Rhydding finally managed to get a hold of the ball the Beeston keeper made a fine double save from McMillan.

Rhydding’s second match was against a buoyant Chester side who had won their opening match 1-0 against their local rivals Deeside Ramblers.

Rhydding started well and pressed for an opener. Jagger, Hadfield and Imogen Sunman all went close to scoring, but Rhydding were again to concede on the break.

The response from Rhydding was immediate as Hadfield smashed the equaliser past a helpless Chester keeper.

Rhydding made some changes at half-time and they took control of the game, The winning goal came from a short corner.

The initial drag flick from Malir was parried into the path of Malir who made no mistake.

Deeside, who had drawn their second match with Beeston, were Rhydding's next opponents. The Ilkley girls knew they had to win their final match and hope that it was by more than any Chester winning scoreline, or that Beeston and Chester drew.

Rhydding started well and broke the deadlock when Jagger fired home from a well-worked short corner. They continued to press and that led to a second goal from Hadfield.

With Chester winning 1-0 in the other match at half time, Rhydding knew they were in with a chance.

Deeside started the second half the stronger and nervous Rhydding took time to settle. Eventually Rhydding began to take control again with Nisha Cant, Malir, Rachel Scott and Izzy Weir creating the solid defensive platform to allow the midfield to attack.

Rhydding made it 3-0 when McMillan beat two players outside of the D, before rounding a third and scoring past the advancing keeper.

The team and their supporters were overjoyed when it was confirmed that Beeston and Chester had drawn so they were through to the National Finals finals on May 10.