THE highlight of the weekend for Ben Rhydding Hockey Club came from the Under-14 boys who beat Harrogate 2-1 to become Yorkshire champions.

A combination of nerves, damp weather and the loss of talismanic sweeper Petur Benedikz meant they were unable to reproduce the free flowing, high scoring hockey that had swept them through the early rounds when they scored 22 goals against Sheffield, Hull, Thirsk and Wakefield with none conceded.

This time it was a show of real grit and determination that enabled them to emerge victorious. The semi-final saw them initially go behind to Slazengers, before goals from Buck, Ogden and Wardle secured a 3-1 win.

In the final they met old foes Harrogate, and in a tense encounter the defensive efforts of Brumfitt, Wood, Lee-Wardell, Fletcher and goalkeeper Atack came to the fore, as they initially surrendered the lead that Ogden had given them before holding firm.

Tireless work from Laxton and Cant in midfield helped to relieve the pressure before a brilliant pacy counter attack enabled Bagshaw to slot home the winner.

They will now need to work hard in training, under the watchful eye of charismatic coach Max Helme, if they are to repeat their success of two years ago, and reach the national finals by qualifying from the North finals in March.

Ben Rhydding Ladies made the long journey to the Midlands where they drew 2-2 at bottom of the league Sutton Coldfield.

After four minutes, a lovely open play goal from Sarah Bell put Ben Rhydding 1-0 up.

Sutton Coldfield responded well and after 20 minutes they had scored twice and were 2-1 up, hoping for their first win of the season.

This hope was quickly squashed by Amy Cordukes with her third goal of the season just a minute later.

There were no further scores in the final 50 minutes of play.

This Saturday the Ladies play away at Durham.

Ben Rhydding Men lost 4-2 in a local derby at Leeds.

Ben Rhydding were under pressure early but defended excellently and went ahead on a short corner strike by Will Musgrave.

Leeds replied shortly after with a high press and converted to equalise. The home side applied more pressure to the ball which led to a second Leeds goal just before half-time.

In the second half, Leeds scored two more through a penalty stroke and another short corner.

In the final minutes, Ben Rhydding took the keeper off and got one back through another Musgrave short corner strike.

This Saturday the Men play Deeside Ramblers at home at 3pm.

Sunday saw some great results in the England Hockey Championships. The Ladies first team beat Leeds 2-0 with goals from Kate Wood and Beth Cordukes while the Mens Over 50s beat Formby 5-1 in the first round of the Master Championship which Ben Rhydding won last season at the National Stadium in London.