Ladies off to a flying start

Hockey

Herne Bay ladies’ 1sts made an excellent start to the Kent Women’s League, Division 1 season by beating Gravesend 11-2. Lisa Watson scored a hat-trick with Rachel Gentry, Lucy Marks and Abbie Burton scoring two each. Amy Coffey and Sophie Buchanan completed the scoring. Watson and Buchan were named joint players-ofthe-match. Bay: Rachel Gentry, Jemma Edmunds, Lisa Watson, Lucy Marks, Sophie Buchanan, Sharon Godden, Hannah Hasler, Amy Mason, Sarah Dengate, Christina Nash, Amy Coffey, Abbie Burton. A depleted 2nds team went down 3-1 to Cobdown in Kent Division 3. A nervous start saw Bay finish the first half a goal down and the deficit was doubled when they conceded an own goal. Despite some excellent goalkeeping from Ali Watson, Bay went 3-0 behind before a wellworked short corner between Amber Potter and Libby Fielder produced a consolaton. Lucy Bartron produced some fine play down the wing. Poppy Preece scored the decisive goal as Herne Bay 3rds edged out Gravesend 2nds 4-3 in Kent Division 4. Birthday girl Georgia Taylor-cleary scored twice with Samantha Warren netting the other. Amanda Richardson-jess made a string of fine saves and there was some excellent defensive work from Sam Mckinven. Herne Bay men’s 1sts shared a 4-4 draw in a friendly against Maidstone 2nds, a team they will face in the league this seaosn. Good pressure saw Bay take the lead from a Lee Gardiner finish from the top of the D and soon after Sam Thompson made it 2-0. Maidstone rallied and were level by half-time courtesy of a miss-hit penalty corner and a shot from the edge of the area. An end-to-end second half saw Bay trail 4-3 until eight minutes from time when Mike Lunn’s through ball was touched home by Thompson. The 3rds drew 3-3 in a friendly with future league opponents Holcombe 4ths. A mixed 4th/5th team travelled one short to play BBHC and, borrowing a player from their hosts, led 4-2 at half-time before scoring two more goals to round off a 6-2 success.