Cirencester Ladies 3rds 0 Evesham & Badsey Ladies 9
West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Severn Division Three
EVESHAM & BADSEY Ladies continued their rampant form from the first half of the season as they powered to a convincing victory in their first game of 2016.
Both teams started strongly but it was league leaders E&B who took the initiative when Sarah Jones made a good run into the D, which enabled Amy Hibbert to score the first goal from a good cross.
There then followed three penalty corners against the home side before captain Laura Moore scored off a rebound and Jones’ fierce shot made it 3-0.
E&B’s ability to control rebounds is improving and this was evident when Debbie Edmondson made it 4-0, although further chances were then spurned by the visitors.
There was some good, steadying defensive play by Fi Jordan and Shelley Banner when Cirencester made a number of forays into the visitors’ half, whilst at the other end Ceri Speake and Lydia Webster threatened with some neat play on the right wing.
By half time the score was 6-0 after Jones and Hibbert both struck again.
The second half was a different story as the cold, driving rain did not help and there was a war of attrition in midfield.
Amie Jabczynski, Speake and Jordan continually snuffed out Cirencester attacks, aided by strong running by Webster and short passing to Moore in the centre, but goals were harder to come by until Jones bagged her third.
The agile and strong Cirencester goalkeeper thwarted the E&B forwards time and again but once more Edmondson was ready for the rebound and snuck home the eighth during the heaviest rain before Webster then took advantage of a fine cross to complete the rout.
Evesham & Badsey are on the road again on Saturday when they visit Colwall & Malvern 2nds.