Bretforton Ladies 1 Marlborough Ladies 3
West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Premier Division 2A
BRETFORTON Ladies were relegated from Premier Division 2A on Saturday alongside their opposition Marlborough.
This was Bret’s third game in eight days and it certainly showed, but the home side played the better hockey and enjoyed most of the possession, although they were unable to convert their chances.
The Wiltshire side started brightly and were soon ahead when a series of defensive errors allowed them to score.
However, Bret shook themselves into life and began to play and good work by Sarah and Julie Hall put Marlborough under pressure and Bret were awarded a flurry of short corners.
Sophie Hamilton’s initial shot was well saved but the tenacious Danni Cox was on hand to bravely sweep home the rebound.
Bret really took the game to Marlborough in the second half as Debbie Slatter and Emma Lowe piled on the pressure and kept the ball well, whilst the Bret defence – which has absorbed a lot of pressure this season – saw Heather Carr and Polly Christan put in another excellent shift in central defence and Sarah Cook proved as reliable as ever in her final game as a pink lady.
With Tess Lewinton playing out of position again, it was down to the dynamic midfield powerhouse that is Lisa Workman to keep things ticking over on the pitch and keeper Vicky Watkins to keep the scoreline respectable, including a flying save as she tipped the ball over the crossbar to the delight of onlookers.
Although disappointed to be relegated, with players lost and injuries picked up throughout the season to key players, the girls have kept battling this season.
Not only have they battled but they have done so with smiles on their faces and laughing all the way. This squad will come back stronger and better after regrouping out of the top flight.
Major thanks this season go to skipper Tess Lewinton for always getting a team out, all the umpires and also to the family and friends who have stood on the sidelines and cheered the team on in adversity.
Players of the match were Lisa Workman and Vicky Watkins.
Meanwhile, former Bretforton player Kate Mitchell is running the upcoming London Marathon for Asthma UK and you can donate to the cause at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Katemitchell9.