Slazenger Ladies clinched the Yorkshire League 2 championship after a tense, keenly-fought encounter with second-placed Bedale. It was Slazenger’s penultimate Yorkshire League fixture and proved to be a thrill-a-minute encounter with the lead changing hands three times. The home side went into the lead almost immediately with a superb short corner strike from Julie Bear. But the visitors hit back with two goals in quick succession and that’s how it stayed until half time.
 
Slazenger equalised soon after the break through Lindsay Harvey, and Bear’s second edged the home side in front 3-2 – only for Bedale to strike third time lucky to take a share of the match-day honours. The game swung from end to end but player of the match defender Julie Finch ensured there would be no late-game upset for Slazenger.
 
Slazenger Ladies play their final league game against third-placed Harrogate at home on Saturday, push-back 12 noon. Next season, Slazenger will resume Yorkshire League hockey for the first time in the club’s history in the first division. This year’s success story follows hot on the heels of promotion from Division 3 last season and mirrors the men’s first team promotion to the first division.

slazenger Ladies firsts celebrated a 5-1 victory over Bedale, a match played at Catterick Garrison and a result that stretched Slazenger’s unbeaten run to eight.

Slazenger, who have yet to be beaten this season imposed their game straight from the whistle and were rewarded for their efforts with a well deserved goal from Gwyneth Barnett.

Further foals were added by Holly Tyers, Sue Swinden and Caroline Wakenshaw (2).