Firsts hold leaders as twos win

Runcorn Ladies I 2 Neston Ladies II 2 THE spoils were shared last Saturday as Runcorn Hockey Club’s Ladies’ first-team drew 2-2 with the second string from Neston.

The visitors from the Wirral peninsula were the division pacesetters going into the encounter, but it was Runcorn who made the brighter start.

And their efforts were rewarded when they took an early lead via Aime Kilkenny who struck at the far post.

The lead was doubled shortly after when Lauren Bond managed to deflect a Lauren Bradshaw shot from the tightest of angles into the Neston net.

Neston managed to cut the lead in half just before the interval, so going into the break the score was 2-1.

The second period saw both teams have plenty of scoring chances.

Neston managed to capitalise on one of these opportunities and level up the game, leaving time for both teams to try and find a winner.

Neither side were able to do this and the score stayed at 2-2 until the final whistle.

Bradshaw was named player-of-the-match for Runcorn and the team sit in a very comfortable mid-table position.

The firsts go to Sale Ladies’ seconds this Saturday with the game at William Hulme’s Grammar School starting at 2pm. W’church Ladies II 1 Runcorn Ladies II 2 RUNCORN Hockey Club’s Ladies’ second-team earned a superb victory at their counterparts from Whitchurch.

It was a game which could have gone either way as Whitchurch were very determined.

Their defence was solid but Runcorn managed to end the first half with a goal from Cath Linaker.

Whitchurch netted an equaliser within minutes of the second half which made Runcorn fight to the end.

And it was Linaker who struck for a second time to net what proved to be the match-winner.

Player-of-the-match was Debbie Smith.

The seconds have home advantage this Saturday when they play host to Sale’s third-team.

The match at The Heath School has a 12pm start time.