BEN Rhydding Hockey Club have had three very tough weeks in the EHL Conference North against the top end of the table contenders and competed valiantly against second placed Timperley at the weekend.

 Finding themselves repeatedly swamped with an overload, it was inevitable that Timperley eventually found the goal to take the lead. Rhydding replied with a stunning goal from Mark Portnell, connecting with a pass in from Will Musgrave to spike the ball into the roof of the net. 

However, Timperley scored almost immediately with a replica of their first goal to reclaim the lead at 2-1. On the stroke of half time, Rhydding scored from a Will Musgrave corner to level.
Rhydding looked to be in the ascendancy as they began the second half in control so it was a cruel blow to have a controversial stroke given against them when Ross McMillan collided with a player during a corner.

Timperley gratefully accepted the gift and must have breathed a sigh of relief to take the lead again. Rhydding levelled yet again; Callum Franks mopping up from a corner and the game was on fire! Timperley scored from a corner to take the lead for the fourth time but there was no further taking of turns and it was Timperley that scored next to put the game to bed at 5-3.

Ben Rhydding Women 2 - Stourport 4: 

Meanwhile the Women in the Vitality Division One North were up against top of the table side, Stourport. 

Despite battling well and being in the game for most of the 70 minutes they were unable to keep Stourport down losing 4-2 with goals from Holly Pears and Rebecca Birch.

This Saturday the Women entertain Durham University at 1.30pm and then on Sunday the men play Didsbury Northern at 2pm - again at home.