Shields stick in with two wins and a draw

NORTH Shields Hockey Club opened the new season with three games against their counterparts from Marton Furness - resulting in two wins and a draw.

The men’s first XI opened the season with an entertaining but unconvincing win at Marden Bridge, overcoming their Teesside rivals 6-4.

Shields broke the deadlock with a quick aerial pass to Sowter, who crossed to give forward Lough the chance to convert from close range.

Shields and Lough doubled their tally through a converted penalty stroke after excellent work on the right by Foster.

Marton, however, played themselves back into the game, converting a well-taken penalty flick.

A third goal for Shields followed shortly afterwards, Harrison receiving the ball from the back and finding Bell who turned, beat a man and played a 40-yard pass into the path of Sowter.

He unselfishly squared the ball for Chater to volley into an empty net.

The second half saw Shields in the ascendancy confidence high, passes finding the right man and maintaining possession for lengthy periods.

A fourth goal seemed inevitable and Chater duly delivered, striking a penalty corner cleanly.

The Bell-Sowter combination set up a lovely fifth goal, Sowter squaring for Lough (right) to bag his hat-trick.

Another string of short corners resulted in Piper slotting the ball delightfully into the bottom corner.

Marton rallied and two quick goals gave the travelling side a sniff. Shields, however, managed to see out the last few minutes, the experience of Bertenshaw and Harrison guiding them home.

The newly-promoted ladies’ first XI opened the season with a 3-3 draw and the men’s second XI ran out 10-1 winners over a young Marton Fourths - Chater netting five times.