CHESTER 6

THE now customary injuries and inavailability failed to dampen the spirits of this weakened Ben Rhydding side. In a game full of goalmouth incident characterised by consistently poor umpiring Ben Rhydding settled quickly.

They opened the scoring through Andrew Gibson's penalty stroke after a fine run by James Laxton.

Chester levelled five minutes later but Ben Rhydding bounced back and Robbie Hatfield's shot was illegally stopped on the line. Alas, this time Gibson's penalty flick was well saved - a possible turning point in the game.

Chester then dominated scoring again after a quickly taken hit from the wrong place resulted in a goal.

From the re-start Bevan Gibbs was unusually caught in possession and Chester were 3-1 up.

Moody Mazhar pulled a goal back but Chester finished the half strongly exploiting some poor defensive marking on Ben Rhydding's left.

They scored two further goals to lead 5-2 at the break which was a major disappointment for Ben Rhydding.

Not surprisingly the pace of the second-half did not match that of the first. Bevan Gibbs poked in a short corner after David Cutter's first strike to reduce the deficit to 5-3.

Mazhar had a good chance to score but instead it was Chester who scored again from a short corner to seal victory.

Chester's extraordinary tactics of umpire baiting only led to a series of irrational decisions, one of which saw Bevan Gibbs shown the yellow card for winning a tackle.

Whilst this was an improved performance by Ben Rhydding and a somewhat unflattering scoreline it still highlighted basic deficiencies. Consequently Saturday's home game against Timperley requires further improvement and greater all round application and concentration.

Adel lll's 3 Ben Rhydding lll's 2

Ben Rhydding Thirds found themselves in deep trouble after narrowly failing to gain a point at Adel on Saturday.

The game was really lost in the first-half when the visitors seemed strangely muted and failed to get their game together.

Adel scored twice and created a number of other chances before Ben Rhydding had got into the game.

The balance of play changed after the break and Thornton looked to have salvaged a draw for the visitors with strikes from penalty corners.

However, Adel snatched victory (and the league title) with a dubious penalty flick. The visitors are still towards the wrong end of the table.

Booth's Man-of- the-Match was Richard Moeller.

Normanby Park 0 Ben Rhydding Badgers 2

Ben Rhydding Badgers maintained their challenge at the top of Yorkshire Nine with victory at Normanby Park.

On a bumpy grass pitch control was difficult. However, Ben Rhydding showed good movement and netted twice through 15-year-old Mark Dunsmore. The first goal was a splendid deflected shot following a good cross from Forbes.

The second was a reverse stick hit into the corner of the net. The team worked hard and fought off a late surge from the home side. Norman Borrett had an excellent game and was awarded Booth's Man- of- the-Match.

Ben Rhydding Vl's 3 Slazengers 1

Table-topping Ben Rhydding Sixths started very slowly in a game they were expected to win. Slazengers put them under early pressure and forced a couple of short corners.

However, Ben Rhydding started to look menacing and took the lead in the 15th minute through Rob Shelton.

This settled the team and they should have reached the interval leading by more than a single goal.

The lead was doubled within 30 seconds of the restart. Henry Stell threaded the ball through to Simon Pighills who unselfishly squared for Shelton to score his second.

Slazengers skipper Keith Hellan pulled a goal back but victory was confirmed as Henry Stell crashed home an unstoppable shot from a short corner.

Mark Laycock picked up the Booth's Man-of-the-Match for his tireless work in midfield.

Under-13s are champions

BEN Rhydding Hockey Club Under-13s have become the champions of Yorkshire and Humberside.

The Under-13s will now represent the area in the North of England play-offs on April 25.

Ben Rhydding started cautiously with a 0-0 draw against Chapeltown, their closest rivals.

However, they gained in confidence with a 1-0 victory over Winterton School, a 2-0 victory over Doncaster and a thumping 4-1 victory over Sir John Nelthorpe School.

During these games Nick Haggerty, the goalminder, was outstanding as he made a string of fine saves. Richard Harmer, Andrew Jolly and Tom Lawson gave excellent defensive cover.

The key match was the final game against Halifax. Ben Rhydding were rampant with Joe White claiming a superb hat trick.

Tom Rowe and Graham Bevington demonstrated skill and determination in midfield while Richard Steele gave a rapier sharp thrust to the attack down the right.

Hot shot Joe White was the tournament's top scorer with six. Man-of-the-Tournament was goalminder Nick Haggarty who played throughout with courage and maturity.

In the same regional tournament Ben Rhydding Under-11s came across very strong opposition - winning one game and drawing another.

This was achieved with a very inexperienced side which included eight-year-old Kieran Borrett.

Daniel McNeice played with determination and Andrew Garrity pulled off some fine saves in goal.

Top goalscorer was Christopher Borrett (2), well supported by William Musgrave.

Rhyan O'Keefe, Ecraj Chana and Oliver Pike all contributed to a sound team effort.

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