Stephenson stars as Ladies secure a play-off position
Scarborough’s Ladies met fourth-placed Northallerton in the closing stages of the season, fielding a strong 11 while welcoming two new players in Issy Mudd and Tara Snowdon.
Both girls showed grit and skill and helped push Harriet Stephenson forward for her first goal via a reverse-stick sweep.
With deadlock broken it fell to Helen Evans to strike home a short corner, which Northallerton had to defend with a reduced number for breaking the defensive line early repeatedly.
While Scarborough felt the pressure at times from welloiled attacks on the right wing, Scarborough’s goalkeeper Stella Garside was not tested too often but made crisp saves and clearances when needed.
Stephenson soon made her tally two with a field-goal, dodging and wrong-footing players on her way.
A shot from the top of the circle ended up loose and was fumbled in for a 4-0 half-time lead.
Northallerton had all but given up, but surprised Scarborough’s central defence after a poorly-played pass in front of goal was intercepted and left the goalkeeper abandoned with no chance to save.
Fortunes were reversed soon after when a pass split through the entire midfield to find forward Harriet Stephenson once more, playing the ball to her right for a ferocious finish.
Some robust hockey followed and a hard-working Kate Dibb made sure her pass from the right base-line got to captain Kelly Brown, who finished from close-range.
Unfortunately, Scarborough played the last 20 minutes with only 10 players, due to an injury.
Scarborough conceded several penalty corners towards the end of the match and it was goalkeeper Garside in command, making sure her saves consolidated a 6-1 win for her side.
The Ladies team have secured a play-off position due to finishing second in Division
North Five, but have one more fixture to play, which is away to bottom side Bradford 2nds for a midday push-back. Scarborough Mens’ 1st
team lost 6-4 against Boston Spa 2nds.
Boston Spa started like a house on fire and went 3-0 up in the open 15 minutes through blistering pace from counter-attacks.
Tim Allison did all he could in goal but the strikes were well-placed and gave him no chance.
Just before half-time Scarborough pulled a goal back through Aaron Dyson by tapping in from close-range.
The second half provided entertainment at both ends with six goals being produced.
Nicholas Thompson, Jacob Warters and Chris Tait bagged the goals for Scarborough, but it wasn’t enough as Spa ran out 6-4 winners.
With all the results in, Scarborough Men’s 1sts finished ninth in Division North Four, while the Men’s 2nds finished sixth in Division North Six.