Ladies 1st XI

Report: 24-09-2016 – Ladies 1st’s (2) vs. (2) Halifax 1st’s

September 24, 2016 by Slazenger HC

2016-09-24-l1-jessica-rudge

Slazengers got off to a struggling start with visitors Halifax putting the pressure on early with significant attempts on goal. However, the girls in green remained strong defensively with consistent impressive saves in the air from their GK; Tracey Lorriman. After a tough opening phase, Slazengers took the lead with a goal from Jessica Rudge.

After a change in formation into the the second half, Slazengers stepped up their pace and were challenging Halifax even more than they anticipated and dominated the game.

Halifax then levelled the score line at 1-1 which did not dishearten the team but caused them to dig deep for another. Shortly followed a goal from Frankie Tyrell who gave Slazengers the advantage they needed with a 2-1 lead.

As tensions rose Halifax had a player suspended from the pitch and Slazengers were able to maintain their lead. However, in the closing minutes, Halifax managed to score another goal which lead to a 2-2 draw.

Overall an impressive game with great team spirit.

2016 Ladies Section Information

September 7, 2016 by Slazenger HC

As summer begins to fade into autumn we reach the start of yet another hockey season. It’s time to reflect on what has gone by and look forward to 2016-17. I apologise for the length of this post, but it is all important information.

2015/16 Season

First of all and most importantly, as the incoming ‘Ladies Chair’ I would like – both personally and also on behalf of the Section – to thank the outgoing Ladies Chair Hayley Wood for her commitment and dedication to this role for so many years. Hayles has held this position since I joined the Club and I can honestly say that she is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. It will be a shockingly hard job to even get close to filling those boots. I can only promise to try and continue in the same vein as Hayles and will regularly be consulting her for guidance! Now on to last year’s hockey – from a playing perspective the 2015/16 highlight was the 2nd team’s promotion to Yorkshire League 1. This reduced the gap between them and the 1st team (who also recorded their highest position for a number of years in North Division 2 SE – congratulations to last year’s Captain Ailish Hendry). However this club is not just about the higher teams – we were just as delighted with the 3rd and 4th teams performances and League positions, especially given the struggle with regular availability last season.

2016-17 Strategy

This year the Ladies Section’s main aim is to maintain the league position of all 4 teams. It is important for the Club that we continue to support all levels of hockey from beginner to advanced. We are relying on you all to give us as much commitment as you can, plus enough notice of your availability so that we can ensure all teams are adequately supported each week. Please be supportive, whatever team you are asked to play for, as this means we can put out 4 competitive teams every week, which is the best thing for the section.

Ladies Training

Pre-season is now finished and regular training begins this coming Thursday (8th September) 7.30-10pm. As in previous seasons the 3rd and 4th team will train from 7.30-8.30pm with Linda Stacey and the 1st and 2nd teams will train from 8.30- 10pm with James Cowden (work permitting). Please ensure that you arrive early enough for a warm up. Training is not only free (included within Subs), but is an important part of playing a team sport. Players are expected to attend regularly and should notify their Captains if they cannot make it. Please remember that we have Coaches who freely give their time and experience to help us play better on a Saturday and we need to provide a good turnout so they are able to organise productive sessions. You may also be asked to train with a higher team as well as your normal team; this is to try to help you develop further as a player, so make the effort to attend if possible.

Squads, Teams and Kit

We have been watching some of you pre-season and will continue to do so in the next couple of weeks at training. Squads will be decided shortly but it is fair to say that for the first few weeks, teams may be fluid as we try to create 4 regular and workable teams with the right combination of youth and experience. Please note that selection is always agreed by the Committee on a weekly basis and we may be unable to satisfy everyone. However if you do have any concerns, by all means feel free to come and talk to me about it. In addition, we are changing shirts this season. Yorkshire Catering Equipment Ltd (yce.co.uk) are sponsoring the entire club, allowing us to maintain shirt prices at £10. The new shirts can be ordered from Captains (sample sizes are available to try). Everyone will need to buy one so we can maintain a consistent look throughout both the Ladies Section and the Club. Other Slazenger kit (hoodies, tracksuits, socks and skorts) is also available for ordering.

Slazenger Club Day

This year our Club Day will be on the 10th September – we have cleared the schedule so everyone is free to come down and have some fun. Please make every effort to come down, and perhaps even bring a friend! There will be mixed half pitch games for all abilities from 1pm – 5pm, followed by a social in the evening.

Subscriptions & Registration

The cost of Subscriptions at Slazenger is low compared to other clubs in the area (especially as it also includes training costs). Please make an effort to pay ASAP if you are going to play this season – this helps make Captains’ lives easier not having to chase people. It would also be great if this year we could be the first section to collect all their subs! Just to make it really easy, you can also pay by Standing Order, which works out at less than £7 a month. For people wanting to pay by cash or cheque the cost is £80. If subs are not paid or a standing order is not started by the end of October, then the Club policy is that you won’t be selected. In addition, everyone who is going to play must fill in the registration form which is enclosed. Please fill this in ASAP and pass to your Captain, ideally along with your subs.

‘The Committee’ and how to contact us

The 2016/17 Ladies Committee this year is below. All of us are very approachable and will always be happy to discuss any issues or questions that you might have at Training, Games or Socials. Please also feel free to use our direct email (Ladies@slazengerhc.co.uk) or Facebook to contact us – you can always use a private message if you want. There is also a Slazenger Hockey Club Facebook page which you may be aware of and you will shortly be invited to a specific Ladies Section Facebook Page (if we can find you on Facebook). If you received this email you are already on the Club mailing list so will receive any important mailings this way too.

Ladies Chairperson – Helen Hough
1st Team Captain – Kelly Whittam
1st Team Vice Captain – Lisa Minchella
2nd Team Captain – Stacey Drake
2nd Team Vice Captain – TBC
3rd Team Captain – Sarah Ritchey
3rd Team Vice Captain – Beth Prince
4th Team Captain – Julie Bailey
4th Team Vice Captain – TBC
Fixtures – Lisa Chappell
Umpires – Lizzie Tunstall

Thanks and enjoy your season!
Huffy & the Committee

Report: 05-12-2015 – Ladies 1st’s (1) vs. (4) Boston Spa 1st’s

December 5, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Ladies 1’s started well from the first whistle this week. Despite playing the strong Boston Spa side, the Horbury team were undeterred. Within the first 5 minutes Slazengers were forcing the errors and for the majority of the first half, all the action was in the home sides attacking circle. Andrea Wallace, Frankie Tyrell and debut player Emily Chason linked up well throughout the game, creating many breaks for the team. In the first 35 minutes we were very unlucky to score, with Jessica Rudge and Ellie Page getting countless shots off, and Ailish Hendry and Tyrell both hitting the same post at a short corner. Half time started at 2-0 to Boston spa.

Slazengers lack of goals ended in the second half when an injection into the circle from Hendry was deflected by a diving Rudge. It was too late for the ladies 1’s though and the final score was 4-1. Boston Spa were a strong side but the ever improving Slaz team played a much better game against them than previously in the season. Man of the match went to Tyrell, and new to the team Chason had a storming match also. Minchella was strong as always at the back.

The team have improved no end from last season but there is still a long way to go!

Report: 28-11-2015 – Ladies 1st’s (0) vs. (5) Driffield 1st’s

November 28, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers ladies 1’s travelled to a very cold Driffield this weekend. However team spirits were high after a good team performance the previous week.

Driffield made the better start and very quickly sneaked in two goals past the Slazengers keeper. In classic Slazengers style, it took the first ten minutes or so to warm up to match pace. Once the team had, we began to make it extremely difficult for the strong Driffield side. The forwards Helen Hough, Ellie Page and Jessica Rudge did a fantastic job of pressing their defence and forcing errors from the opposition. The second part of the first half solely consisted of Slazengers attacking in the Driffield half. Despite many shots from the forwards and even some attempts from Ailish Hendry, the ball did not want to go in the goal.

In the second half Slazengers did not give up, and the final 5-0 score line did not reflect the ladies performance. Driffield were a strong side but Slazengers more than held their own. Lily Miles had a good debut performance but man of the match went to Sue Hope who had a great game controlling the centre of the pitch.

Report: 14-11-2015 – Ladies 1st’s (0) vs. (5) Leeds Adel 1st’s

November 14, 2015 by Slazenger HC

From the off, the horbury side knew this weeks match was going to be a tough one. Slazengers Ladies 1’s, had a difficult game against undefeated, top of the league team, Adel.

The team started off, undeterred, and raring for the match ahead. Slazengers dampened Adel’s shine, making the usually dominant team look rather average. Unfortunately Adel managed to sneak 3 goals past the strong defence, 2 of which the umpire admitted perhaps shouldn’t have been goals. The Slaz side were playing well as a team, some of the best hockey they have played all season.

Entering the second half Slaz were 3-0 down, but upped their game in the second half to only finish 4-0. A fantastic result against the strong Adel team who have been beating most opposition with 8 or 9 goals.

Tracy Lorriman had a great stint in goal, despite the result, and is improving with every match. Yet again some strong defending from Minchella and Wallace duo. The midfield miracles Tyrrell and Gunn, ran their socks off covering box to box during the challenging match. This weeks match has prepared us well for local derby game next week against Huddersfield Dragons.

Report: 07-11-2015 – Ladies 1st’s (2) vs. (5) Sheffield Uni Bankers 1st’s

November 7, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Ladies 1’s travelled to Sheffield this weekend, to play the Uni Bankers side. Unfortunately, a win was not on the cards this week.

Despite taking the lead with a fantastic first time strike from Man of the Match Sue Hope, the Horbury side suffered a 5-2 loss.

Andrea Wallace and Donna Slack played great at the back despite the result, and Charlotte Gunn shares MOM with Hope.

Report: 31-10-2015 – Ladies 1st’s (4) vs. (0) Doncaster 2nd’s

October 31, 2015 by Slazenger HC

2015-10-31-L1 - Jessica_Rudge

Slazengers Ladies first team made it a hat-trick of wins this week against Doncaster Ladies 2’s. The surprisingly warm October weather made it a slow start, but Jessica Rudge scored the first goal thanks to some great team passing. Claire Dunstan was quick to follow with a strong hit to the bottom corner.

Although 2-0 up at half time, the team were not stopping there. Top goal scorers Claire and Jessica both got another goal each to make the final score a 4-0 victory. Some great play from goal keeper Tracy Lorriman, earned Slazengers a clean sheet. Lorriman shares man of the match with Alice Gascoigne who put in another solid performance.

Report: 24-10-2015 – Ladies 1st’s (4) vs. (2) Wakefield 3rd’s

October 24, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Ladies 1’s were raring to go in the local derby match against Wakefield last Saturday. From the starting whistle, Slazengers were on the front foot with an early goal from Sarah Cooper. Two goals quickly followed, another for Sarah Cooper and one for Claire Dunstan, to finish half time at 3-0.

Wakefield were struggling to see much of the ball and Slazengers dominated as the match entered the second half. Wakefield were lucky to put two past the keeper but hatrick star Sarah Cooper sealed the deal to finish 4-2.

Credit goes to man of the match Alex Gilbert who had a storming debut.

Report: 17-10-2015 – Ladies 1st’s (5) vs. (1) Chapeltown 1st’s

October 17, 2015 by Slazenger HC

Slazengers Ladies 1’s dominated this Saturday playing a strong Chapeltown team on home soil. From the off Slazengers came out fighting, and a great network of passes from Helen Hough and Sarah Sykes led to a well placed goal from Jessica Rudge. Chapeltown couldn’t respond, and Ellie Page scored the second goal after dribbling around the keeper in superb style.

Finishing half time at 2-0, Slazengers were keen to keep the lead. And after a slow start to the second half, a short corner lead to Jessica Rudges 2nd goals of the match, through the keepers legs. Sarah Cooper followed with a solid strike from the top of the ‘D’ into the bottom corner.

Chapeltown responded with a goal but Slazengers wouldn’t rest, and in the last 5 minutes Ailish Hendry dribbled it up the pitch with a well timed pass to Ellie Page who finished it to earn her second goal. With a 5-1 victory Slazengers go into next weeks match with high spirits.

Report: 10-10-2015 – Ladies 1st’s (0) vs. (4) Boston Spa 1st’s

October 10, 2015 by Slazenger HC

It was a slow start for Slazengers Ladies 1’s at Boston Spa this weekend. The opposition quickly gained a lead at the start of the match. Despite some great teamwork Slazengers finished 3-0 down at half time.

The ladies team played much better in the second half, it was a shame to finish at 4-0. Lisa Minchella gave a solid performance as always, with some great passing from Frankie Tyrrell.