Whitley Bay 6 Ben Rhydding 3

Ben Rhydding were outplayed by a better side in another excellent game of hockey in the Men's North Premier League.

The hosts did not need many chances to show their quality.

They got in the circle three times in the first five minutes and scored twice.

The first goal was of a quality far beyond the North Premier League and gave a leaping Dave Carter no chance.

Still reeling from going behind, Rhydding lapsed in concentration and lost their men.

They were outnumbered as a Bay forward was left with the easy chance to slip the ball under Carter as he came out to challenge.

Rhydding struggled to cope with the transition that their opponents executed so well.

Despite their difficulties Rhydding rode out the storm and pushed themselves back into the game. Connor Dowley sent a beautiful aerial pass to the ever-running George Sweeting who sent the perfect ball in for Will Musgrave.

His touch was saved by Whitley Bay’s outstanding keeper but Elliot Dowley, up like a whippet , jumped on the scraps and popped it in to the net.

Rhydding had a solid phase of possession but kept turning the ball over as they entered the final third.

The game was deadlocked for the rest of the half with neither side getting into the circle but Whitley Bay were lethal when they did get in.

Despite a tight man to man defence, a bullet of a reverse shot from nowhere thumped into the goal to stretch Whitley Bay’s lead to 3-1.

Rhydding came out in a composed way for the second half and it was not long before they scored. Andrew Clemerson calmly fizzing the ball to the outside to Josh Sykes.

He linked with Musgrave before throwing himself at a shot and producing astonishing save.

Tim Zillessen ensured that Rhydding weren’t denied by bravely deflecting the lifted ball into the net.

Back in the battle at 3-2, Rhydding took control.

After a spell of attacking hockey, Sweeting won a corner. Connor Dowley delivered a magnificent drag flick to level the scores and Rhydding heads lifted.

Whitley Bay came back in style in the next phase of the match, upping their tempo and throwing numbers forward.

They gained their first penalty corner of the match and neatly slotted it to take the lead.

Skipper, Dave Exley led by example and came close to scoring on the overlap.

Clever defending from Exley, Clemerson and Dowley meant that access to the circle was denied time and again, however, a long corner was smashed into the net to put the home side two up.

Minutes later they scored again; a final nail in the coffin.

Whitley Bay are the best side that Rhydding have faced in this league and will test anyone.