Blackburn 0

Ben Rhydding Ladies 8

Ben Rhydding Ladies travelled to Blackburn and enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory against their old rivals in this final friendly fixture before the league re-starts on February 1.

Typically a hard-fought encounter, Ben Rhydding were prepared for a tough match and played accordingly, ultimately enjoying the opportunity to put away a hatful of goals without reply.

The Yorkshire side were soon ahead, as the in-form Sarah Male scored the first of her hat-trick of goals, surging forward from the midfield to create havoc in the Blackburn defence.

Melanie Scott soon added to the scoresheet with a well-taken shot, latching onto a fine pass from Aussie Kate Bradley. In the goal feast that followed, the prolific Rachel Doherty was again amongst the scorers, alongside Melissa Reynard and Kate Bradley, demonstrating that the Yorkshire side do not rely on a single striker.

Male took the honours with her well-earned hat-trick but the whole Ben Rhydding side showed why theycurrently top the league table with a fine demonstration of flowing hockey. Despite the scoreline 'keeper Vicky Prigg had some important saves to make, and did well to maintain a clean sheet.

Jo Skirrow controlled the midfield well from deep, allowing the forwards and attacking midfielders free rein to run the Blackburn defence ragged.

A fine performance from the Yorkshire girls, who now hope to maintain this form when the league campaign restarts against Driffield on February 1.

BR Ladies Thirds 1

Sheffield Fourths 1

(BR won 4-2 on penalty flicks)

Ben Rhydding Thirds faced Sheffield in the first round of the Yvonne Horner Shield knock-out competition.

Ben Rhydding dominated play from the start but after numerous attacks on goal failed to score. Part way through the first-half, Sheffield broke away against the run of play and scored an unexpected goal. The Ben Rhydding defence of Janet Raw, Ellie Banks, Jodie Bridger and Emma Lowe showed great determination and continued to play very effectively together for the remainder of the match.

After half-time, Ben Rhydding were eager to score. They had several short corners and shots at goal but these did not seem to provide the team with many goals. However, great work from Heidi Beardsmore, Laura Beardsmore and Mary Pawson in midfield ensured that the ball was evenly spread and allowed the forward line of Beth Pawson, Linda Burton and Sarah Pink to put the Sheffield defence under pressure.

After failing to score from a short corner Ben Rhydding were pushed up high and attacking well. A great strike from Ellie Banks resulted in Linda Burton sweeping the ball into the back of the net. The match continued with Ben Rhydding having most of the play, but the final score remained 1-1.

Penalty flicks were taken to decide the overall winner so Jodie Bridger, Emma Lowe, Laura Beardsmore, Beth Pawson and Linda Burton prepared to take part. Great goalkeeping from Jenna Appleby meant that Sheffield managed to score just one, whilst Ben Rhydding put three goals past the Sheffield 'keeper to go into the next round.

Adel Firsts 2

Ben Rhydding lls 2

Ben Rhydding men's second XI were more sluggish than their opponents after a months Christmas break and in the end were perhaps lucky to gain a draw though they had enough goal opportunities in the first-half to have wrapped the match up.

Goalkeeper Pratt, despite a far from ideal preparation for the game was inspired and, on this occasion, blameless for the Adel goals.

Mulligan, against his old club, was certainly hyped up and was rewarded by scoring the equaliser after Rhydding went a goal down. Indiscipline then gained him a green card. Neil Horsman was solid at the back and both Gibson and Birkinshaw on the defensive flanks played well.

Up front Laxton showed some signs of a return to the form of bygone days and Lambert was always dangerous but perhaps overdid the stickwork.

It was Zilleson, however, following a move involving French and Cussons, who stole a point in the dying minutes with a well-taken reverse stick effort.

Ben Rhydding Vlls 4

City of York Vllls 1

Mike Nixon is a legend at Ben Rhydding Hockey Club. Over the last 20 years he has regularly been the club's top scorer and his quiet presence has been much missed recently since injury and a growing family have restricted his appearances.

Happily he was able to play on Saturday and his skill, fitness and commitment was the difference between the two sides. From the start the Badgers played some lovely hockey exploiting the space down the right.

Alex Smith shone on his debut and Matthew Timperley took up some excellent positions almost scoring on several occasions. As it was, a defensive misunderstanding saw City of York convert a short corner against the run of play at the end of the first-half.

At half-time skipper Birdsall insisted that the Badgers needed to make more short, sharp passes. How right he was! In the next 20 minutes the Badgers scored four goals, all of them the result of some flowing hockey and all of them finished by Nixon.

Not one of them was from more than five yards, a tribute to Nixon's exceptional positional play and unerring finishing.