Ben Rhydding 5, Whitley Bay 2

Despite the resounding scoreline, this was by no means an easy victory for Ben Rhydding against a strong side who may feel they deserved more out of this game.

Ben Rhydding always have respect for Whitley Bay, who boast some fast, attacking front runners who often prove a handful for the Yorkshire defence.

Indeed it was Whitley Bay who took the lead early on in the match, as they confidently converted a penalty stroke to leave the home side under no illusions that this might be an easy fixture.

The first-half was played at a furious pace, with Issy MacDonald dictating the play from the back for Ben Rhydding, and starting a string of moves which saw the midfield and attack pile on the pressure in the visitors' goal area. In response Whitley Bay enjoyed some fine attacking runs of their own, and always looked dangerous on the break.

As in previous weeks, it was when Ben Rhydding played two-touch hockey that they looked most in command, and some neat approach play allowed Rachel Doherty to slip the ball to Sarah Male for a well-deserved equaliser. Shortly after the move was repeated, and Male was delighted to claim her second.

Into the second-half and Doherty eased the nerves with a well-taken solo goal which saw her round the 'keeper to slip the ball home.

Whitley Bay responded strongly and left the Rhydding defence stranded as they slotted home their second.

It looked as if Ben Rhydding might lapse into temporary disarray. Once again it was Doherty to the rescue, and a fine run from defence saw her take the ball the half the length of the pitch before slipping it to a grateful Catherine French to increase the lead once more.

This sealed the match, and Ben Rhydding were delighted to bag another goal in the final moments as a foul from the 'keeper on the skillful Doherty allowed Jo Skirrow to step up and convert the resulting penalty.

A hard-fought game, which was just the preparation they needed for their crucial top-of-the-table clash at Timperley on Saturday.

P W D L F A D Pts

Ben Rhydding 14 13 0 1 67 22 45 39

Timperley 14 13 0 1 49 19 30 39

Chester 14 9 1 4 32 22 10 28

Blackburn N 14 6 1 7 28 32 -4 19

City of York 14 5 3 6 23 27 -4 18

Driffield 14 6 0 8 29 38 -9 18

Whitley Bay 14 4 2 8 25 40 -15 14

Roseberry 14 4 1 9 23 33 -10 13

Colne Valley 14 3 3 8 28 47 -19 12 Wigan Ladies 14 1 1 12 17 41 -24 4