Ben Rhydding...2

Sheffield............3

A fixture between the league's highest scorers and an opposition with the best defensive record was always going to be an exciting encounter.

Added to that was the knowledge that the winners would claim runners up spot in the North League (Leyland Motors having been crowned champions the previous day), and neither team lacked motivation.

Ben Rhydding's prolific scoring record had seen them notch up 55 league goals prior to this fixture, and young Jo Ellis is the league top scorer - a fine achievement.

It was no surprise, therefore, when the home side took an early lead in this penultimate North League fixture as Rachel Doherty somehow slotted the ball home from the tightest of angles, latching onto a Jackie Barrett pass.

Sheffield do not give away easy goals, and it took another superb effort from Jo Ellis to increase the lead, as she fired the ball high into the net from a seemingly impossible position at the edge of the area.

A dream start for Ben Rhydding, and they were determined not to let the lead slip as Sheffield began to assert themselves for the first

time in the match.

The home celebrations were short-lived, however, as their visitors demonstrated some fine finishing themselves to reduce the deficit, and the match proved to be one to keep the crowd guessing throughout.

With both sides giving everything, tempers began to fray at times and Sheffield saw two players sin-binned as they fought their way back into the match.

Jo Wilson was a stalwart in the Ben Rhydding midfield, never giving an inch and distributing the ball well to the forwards. Skipper Jackie Goodwin put in a typical tireless performance both in defence and attack and was unlucky not to get onto the scoresheet.

Sheffield always looked dangerous on the break, however, and it came as no surprise when they levelled the scores with a well taken strike which gave the 'keeper no chance.

Ben Rhydding continued the work rate, determined to reclaim the lead but were unlucky to give away a penalty flick which was clinically put away to give Sheffield the lead for the first time in the match.

As both sides fought desperately for goals, time began to run out for Ben Rhydding, and they were unable to capitalise on Sheffield being down to nine players at one stage.

Once again the home side had to settle for a narrow defeat at the hands of these old rivals, just when they thought victory might have been theirs.

Ben Rhydding's final league game is at home to Chester on Saturday (4.30pm) when they will be hoping to crown their best ever North League season with a victory.

Winnington Park.....2

B Rhydding Ladies..7

This game provided a fine display of hockey from the Ilkley Ladies. They stated well but a breakaway goal from the opposition meant that they went a goal downearly in the game.

However, Rachel Doherty equalised fairly soon after. Another breakaway goal put Winnington Park ahead at the break, although Rhydding had dominated the first-half.

A few tactical issues were sorted out at half-time and the second-half saw waves of attack from the visitors. The goals soon followed - Jo Ellis, Jackie Goodwin and Catherine French all appearing on the team sheet to put Rhydding 5 - 2 up.

At this point 'keeper, Care Britcliffe saved a penalty flick which ensured that Winnington Park were not allowed back into the game. The sixth goal has to be one of the best of season - Alexa Jennings collected the ball on the left and superbly struck the ball hard into the back of the goal.

The seventh and final goal came from Catherine French following a great build-up starting in defence. A pleasing performance and a well deserved result.

Ben Rhydding Vllls....14 SlazengerVs.................0

The metaphore for the Eighth's penultimate league game for the season could not have been clearer. The match against Slazenger Fifths last Saturday was played in the shadow of a tired, leaky old club house.

Next to it a new structure is being built. The new building is far from complete but the steel skeleton suggests that there will be something much grander and permanent for next season.

Meanwhile, back on the pitch, the team had been augmented by some promising new boys - Chris Charlesworth, Oliver Packett and Marco Gledhill all debuting for the team and Johnny Radford was selected for his second successive match.

The new comers were supported by Higgitt, Hutton, Shelton, Packett snr, Martin, Bevington and Laycock and, with a cast like this, the script was never in much doubt. The first (Gledhill) goal came within the first two minutes and from then on Slazengers were permanently on the back foot.

The only controversial moment in the whole game came at half-time when there was some discussion as to whose turn it was to play up front. Consensus was not reached and, in the end, most of the team had a go!

Having been on the wrong end of a similar score earlier on the season the victory was sweet.

It is no coincidence, however, that there were only two survivors of that drubbing just three weeks ago on the pitch.

Scorers were: Gledhill (3) Radford (3), Higgitt (3), Shelton (2), O Packett (2) and Bevington.