A COLD windy day in Ben Rhydding, the Women's first team took on Bowdon in the Division One North.

A well fought battle began, with the intense start of Bowdon putting high pressure on the four members of defence; Tanisha Janzen, Samantha Harrison, Rebecca Birch and Kirtsty Goodbold.

A quick free hit taken by the Bowdon forwards with the defence tracking back led to Bowdon opening the score.

Bringing Felicity Wooley into teh attack led to a slick passage of play and an unanswered pass into the circle for a short corner. Brilliant execution with the injection from Sophie Davies, a trap from Harrison and a rocket shot by Janzen put Ben Rhydding level with Bowdon.

In the second quarter, Bowdon were awarded a Penalty Flick which was simply converted and Ben Rhydding found themselves behind again, with the score finishing at 2-1 to the away side.

A special mention for Megan Wildish this week, who scored a hat trick in the Match of the Week where the Women's seconds beat Lindum in the Yorkshire & North East Premier Division.

The Women’s Firsts will continue to take this intensity and determination to Olton on Saturday, returning home to Ben Rhydding on the 26th February against Stourport at 13:30.

In the men's tie, they triumphed away at Newcastle University.

You could certainly see the fatigue in Ben Rhydding Men’s first team after a mentally and physically gruelling double header the previous weekend. In addition, travelling all the way up to Newcastle and missing three key players, they looked less than their sparkling selves.

Despite this, Rhydding scored in less than a minute; Charlie Smith slicing through several players and threading a killer pass to Mark Portnell who acted on a simple two v one, passing to Max Helme to finish. Rhydding went 2-0 up with a delightful corner routine, claimed by Charlie Smith. It was Charlie Smith who scored the third in the second half following excellent defensive work from Man of the Match, Rob Elsworth and visionary passing from skipper, Rob Ramsden to put him through on his beloved back hand for an impressive goal. Tom Threlfall made an outstanding debut for Rhydding and won two of their three corners for them.

Newcastle got one back with a corner but Rhydding despite a ropey second half sealed the win, three points and their place at the top of the table.