News

Men’s 1sts (4) vs. (7) Boston Spa 1st’s
Slazenger Men’s 1st Team made the short trip to Boston Spa for an early pushback on Saturday, missing a handful of key players but full of intent after recent strong performances. The visitors started brightly, settling quickly into their rhythm despite the reshuffled line-up. Their early pressure paid off when Emmett Fearn opened the scoring with a stunning individual effort — a thunderous strike that set the tone for what promised to be an entertaining contest.

However, Boston Spa’s midfield soon began to dictate play, their pace and physicality proving difficult to contain. In a punishing spell, the hosts scored three quick goals to take control of the match. Slazenger refused to roll over, and in-form forward Jordan Ingham continued his hot streak in front of goal, netting an impressive hat-trick to keep his side in contention. Despite his efforts, Boston Spa’s relentless attacking play eventually told, as they added to their tally to seal a 7–4 victory.

There were positives to take for Slazenger — not least the promising debut of young Owen Coughtrey, who slotted in confidently and looked right at home at this level. A tough result on the road, but plenty of fight and spirit shown from a side missing key personnel. Slaz will look to bounce back next week as they continue to build on the positives.

Men’s 2nds (3) vs (3) Huddersfield 2nds
After two wins on the bounce, the 2nds hosted huddersfield 2s for another battle of wits and guile. Under a gentle autumnal sun, the teams met. Huddersfield had the push, and started brightly, but Slaz employed a series of flowing pases to setup an early short corner. A sign of the determination from last week perhaps. However, this clearly pushed Huddersfield to react, clinically beating goalkeeper Walker to go one ahead. Slazenger redouble their efforts, and there were signs of life aim in the team. Some fanatic link up play set up Aleks Thompson to pick out an aerial pass and slot it into the back of the net on the volley.

Huddersfield fought back to take the lead once more, this time with ‘keeper Walker turning the ball into his own net. With 10 minutes to go, it wasn’t looking good for the home side. However a last minute revival was spurred when James Stevenson beat the goalkeeper to slot away a second. With minutes remaining, slaz surged forward, pressing the momentum and looking for an equaliser. With seconds left on the clock, a final penalty corner was won.

As the forward line positioned for the corner, the call went out for “the torpedo”. Up came young Adam Drake. The seconds ticked down. The ball was injected to the top of the circle. Drake stood ready. He strook the ball cleanly. As the vital seconds ticked away, he drilled the ball into the bottom left of the goal equalising the game. A once a decade goal, and the perfect time to score it. The win keeps the 2nd unbeaten run alive as they go into the half term break weekend.

Men’s 3rd’s (2) vs. (7) Ben Rhydding 4th’s
Slazenger 3rd team hosted Ben Rhydding 4th team for a 3pm autumn clash in crisp, lightly clouded conditions. The home side made a dream start, captain Damian Greig pouncing within the first 60 seconds to slot home after confusion in the visiting defence. Ben Rhydding responded swiftly, a talented youngster equalising with a superb reverse strike past keeper Daz Buttery. The visitors’ youthful energy and sharp passing began to show, stretching the Slazenger defence throughout the first half. Despite Slazenger’s resilience and Greig adding a well-taken second goal, Ben Rhydding’s pace and composure in front of goal proved decisive. Taking their chances clinically, the visitors pulled away in the second half to secure a convincing 7–2 victory. Slazenger battled hard to the end, showing moments of promise, but the day belonged to Ben Rhydding’s impressive young side.

Men’s 4th’s (0) vs. (4) Chapeltown 3rds
The 4s winning streak came to an end this weekend with a 4-0 away defeat against Chapeltown. The travelling side were unable to capitalise on early dominance; creating multiple solid chances and finding good positions, but not the back of the hosts goal.

The first goal came from a counter attack from the hosts. The second goal came shortly before half time from a flick to the keepers stick side despite him diving the right way. The second half was much the same with slaz creating many chances but being exposed on the counter. The hosts managed to extend their lead with another 2 goals in the second half. Final score 4-0

Development (1) vs. (1) Rotherham
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Rotherham – home of flat caps, steel, and a good old Yorkshire welcome! It was a big night for young George H, making his debut in goal. First game for the Devs and he looked more confident than Brian Potter ordering a Bacardi Breezer. And he didn’t disappoint – cracking clearances, fearless saves, and plenty of “calm down” hand gestures when the defence got lively. Early doors, Adelaide slid a beauty through to Matthew. Keeper saved it, but Matthew – like a dog on chips – fought for it back and tucked it away on the reverse. One–nil! The crowd went wild (well, Noah’s mum definitely did).

The back line of Matilda, Katie Amelia and John were like Phoenix Club bouncers – nobody’s getting through without a membership card. In midfield, Alan, Adelaide, Izzy and Noah ran like they’d been powered by garlic bread – never stopped. When Jess came on, she covered more ground than a Peter Kay tour, playing the whole left… and right… and probably the car park if needed. Up top, Ruth, Georgie, Cerys and Matthew gave the Rotherham defence nightmares, taking on their senior players with the confidence of Ray Von on the decks. Half time team talk? Inspirational. Captain Ruth rallied the troops, and George H gave his “view from the back” – mainly that Rotherham were piling the pressure on, but Slaz had the grit to hold firm.

Second half – chaos. Rotherham pressed, and pressed again. Short corner after short corner, and the Slaz wall held strong. George H made top–drawer saves. The defence threw themselves about like they were auditioning for Phoenix Nights’ “Stars in Their Eyes” special. Finally, Rotherham bundled one in to equalise. But not before Slaz showed grit, fight and a fair bit of comedy timing. Player of the Match: A three-way tie: Katie for solid defending, Adelaide for creativity, and Jess for sheer hard graft.

Final score: 1–1. Final verdict: Rotherham might have got the draw, but Slaz definitely got the garlic bread.

Donut of the Day: John – because every good story needs a fall guy.

Teas 6/10 – Chip butties 🥪

Ladies 1st’s (3) vs. (2) City of York 2nds
A Second-Half Surge Seals the Victory

On a crisp autumn afternoon, Slazengers Ladies took to the pitch against a well-drilled York side in what turned out to be a nail-biting, high-energy clash. The opening whistle saw Slazengers take a calm and calculated approach, focusing on structure and defensive discipline. With players holding their shape and taking time to read their opposition’s movements, the early minutes were a tactical chess match.

However, York managed to break the deadlock with an early goal, capitalising on a brief generalised lapse in concentration. Slazenger responded with flashes of intent but were caught again on the counter. A superb response, culminating in a well worked goal taken by Amelia Sykes kept Slazenger in the game. York took a 2–1 lead heading into halftime.

A well-needed team debrief and a tactical reshuffle during the break brought new energy onto the pitch. With Emma dropping into centre back, Slazenger gained the strength they needed. Defenders ( now Emma, Eliz, Marisa, Bella, and Lisa) had an unbeatable back line, composed like a brick wall. Slazenger began to take control of the game. The defence’s patience and precision in transferring the ball created openings, and it was only a matter of time before the breakthrough came.

Hannah found herself in space at the top of the D, and with determination and power, unleashed a thunderous shot that nearly tore through the net — levelling the score at 2–2. The crowd erupted as Slazenger clawed their way back into the contest. The momentum shift was palpable. Midfield dynamo Frankie, alongside Hannah, Becca, and Laura, orchestrated the game with intelligent runs, crisp passes, and relentless energy. York pushed back, attempting to break through, but were met with a wall of resistance from keeper Ami, who delivered a string of crucial saves — including some fearless dives and decisive kicks to clear the D.

A pivotal moment came when half-back Bella made a blistering run up the flank, sending a perfect ball sailing into the D. Alys brought it down with composure and slotted it home to give Slazenger the lead for the first time. 3–2. Now in control, Slazenger turned up the heat. Wave after wave of attacking plays followed, with short corners and shots raining in. Marisa, with tireless leading runs and tactical awareness, was everywhere — opening up space and driving the team forward. Her all-round performance earned her a clean sweep of Player of the Week votes. Captain Hannah kept the team glued together with constant communication and leadership from the centre, ensuring the formation held strong under pressure.

As the clock ticked down, York pushed hard for an equaliser, but Ami stood tall — putting her body on the line with match-defining saves to preserve the lead. The final whistle blew to cheers from the side-lines. Slazenger 3, York 2 — a well-earned victory forged from teamwork, resilience, and second-half brilliance. The team spirit was lifted higher, thanks to the generosity of the Sykes family who knitted glamorous tart and player headbands. Final Score: Slazenger 3 – 2 York

Player of the Match: Marisa who donned the victory headband
Tart of the match: Frankie who despite the title, wore the headband with great panache!

Ladies 2nd’s (0) vs. (3) Chesterfield 1sts
Slazenger suffered a 3-0 home defeat against a strong Chesterfield side, but the score line doesn’t reflect the grit and determination shown throughout the match. From the first whistle, Slaz were on the back foot, with Chesterfield applying consistent pressure. However, goalkeeper Eren was in outstanding form, making a string of crucial saves to keep the hosts in the game. His efforts, combined with a solid defensive performance, helped Slaz weather much of the storm in the first half.

Despite the relentless defending, Chesterfield eventually broke through, netting three well-worked goals over the course of the game. Slazenger continued to battle and showed great resilience, never allowing their heads to drop. Joint Players of the Match go to Nikki and Erin – Nikki for her tireless effort and composure under pressure, and Erin for her heroics between the posts. A tough result, but plenty of positives to take forward.

Ladies 3rd’s (2) vs. (0) Pudsey 1sts
Slazenger ladies 3s travelled to Horsforth this week to take on Pudsey in what proved to be a fiercely contested and physical encounter. From the first whistle, it was clear both teams were up for the challenge, but it was Slazenger who took the early initiative. Moving the ball smartly through midfield and linking well with the forward line, they quickly put Pudsey under pressure. That pressure paid off when left winger Evie Mollart capitalised on a defensive error, calmly slotting the ball home to give Slazenger a deserved early lead. At the back, the Slazenger defence was solid and organised — marking tightly, breaking down Pudsey’s attacks, and turning possession back over efficiently. When called upon, keeper and player of the match Lauren Hattersley was outstanding, making several crucial saves. The pick of the first half came in a one-on-one situation, where Hattersley bravely went to ground and came away with the ball to preserve the lead.

The first half ended 1–0 to Slazengers.

Pudsey came out fighting in the second half, determined to find an equaliser. However, Slazenger continued to look composed and cohesive, keeping their shape and denying Pudsey any clear chances. Hattersley was once again pivotal, producing another brilliant save when a first-time strike from a long ball into the D looked destined for the bottom corner — only for her to get a crucial touch with her stick to divert it wide. Slazenger then doubled their advantage through captain Justine Birkett, who made her mark from a short corner routine. After injecting the ball, Birkett followed up and finished clinically with a first-time strike into the far corner, sealing the win in style. The game finished 2–0 to Slazenger 3s, who can be proud of a strong, disciplined, and all-round team performance.

Ladies 4th’s (3) vs. (5) University of Leeds 5th’s
Slazenger Ladies 4s went into their home clash against a youthful and energetic Leeds University 5s side with one clear goal: don’t concede more than 10. And while Leeds made an immediate impact by scoring straight from the whistle, what followed was far from the runaway victory many expected. Instead, it was game on. From the back to the front, Slazenger dug deep. The defence and midfield put in a determined shift, with Beth and Lorna making key clearances, while Emily stood her ground with calm and control. The guiding influence of Michelle’s coaching was clear to see in the team’s shape and tactics.

Despite constant pressure and a flurry of shots from Leeds, Slazenger didn’t sit back. In fact, it was Mandy who turned the tide – twice. Leading the charge with clever counters and calm finishing, she bagged two well-taken goals that gave the home supporters something to shout about. Heading into the second, Leeds tried to turn up the heat – but Keeper Lauren had other plans. Putting in a standout performance, she pulled off a string of remarkable saves to keep Slazenger in touching distance.

Then came the moment of the match. With just 10 minutes to go, Phoebe made a break down the right, went into receive the ball in stride, turned on the keepers and slotted it home to make it 4–3 – sending the home crowd into raptures. Leeds would go on to score once more, sealing a 5–3 victory, but Slazenger walked off the pitch victorious in spirit – having not only met their challenge but pushed their opponents all the way. The score may have gone to Leeds Uni, but the resilience, teamwork , and spirit of Slazenger Ladies 4s were the true winners.

Edie took her early chances in the D, converting from a well-worked short corner to give us the lead. Amalie, Ella, and Georgie worked tirelessly in midfield, while the defense held strong and kept the ball in our attacking half for much of the match.

Match 2 vs York (0–0 Draw)
York proved a strong opponent, but our defence — Katie, Etta, and Ella — held firm, making it difficult for them to break through. Frances was outstanding in goal, coming off her line confidently and making several key saves. York’s best chance hit the post, but our defence reacted quickly to clear the danger. Up front, Edie, Georgie, Cerys, Amalie, and Darcie worked hard to create opportunities, but York’s defence remained resolute. A well-earned clean sheet and a hard-fought draw.

Match 3 vs Doncaster (0–1 Loss)
The girls came out fighting once again in a tightly contested match. Play moved end to end, with both teams showing great determination. Doncaster were quick on the counterattack and managed to find the top corner with a superb strike. Our girls kept pushing until the final whistle, creating several short-corner chances late on, but couldn’t quite find the equaliser. A valiant effort from everyone on the pitch.

Match 4 vs Thirsk (3–0 Win) Scorers: Edie, Darcie, and Katie
Determined to finish strong, the girls dominated from start to finish. Excellent passing and movement up the pitch created plenty of attacking opportunities. Edie opened the scoring from a short corner, followed by a well-taken goal from Darcie. Katie sealed the win with a fantastic effort after a series of rebounds in the D. A brilliant all-round performance and a great way to end the day.

The girls finished 2nd overall in what was a very competitive division, with all teams evenly matched throughout the tournament. Every player worked hard for each other and showed real team spirit.Special mention to Etta and Amalie, who both played their first tournament and were fantastic. Player of the Tournament: Katie – for her tireless work across the pitch and consistent effort in every game. A big thank you to our wonderful parents for their support on the sidelines, and to Mark for umpiring!

Slazenger (0) vs. (1) Wakefield 2
The first match was against Wakefield 2s. A keenly fought match, but Slazenger were still wiping the sleep from their eyes and Wakefeld scored on the break to take the victory. Penny was an absolute force in the game, covering the pitch, moving the ball and causing the opposition plenty of problems.

Slazenger (1) vs. (0) Halifax
The second match was against Halifax. Even though they towered over the horbury side., Slazenger worked harder. Hollie battling in midfield won the ball, setting up Matilda to get the ball to Grace who slotted it past the keeper. The goal proved divisive in winning the game for Slazenger.

Slazenger (0) vs. (0) Huddersfield
Slazenger too their efforts into the following game. They had the majority of possession, controlling the game. Madison and Maya defended well, and a combined effort of Grace, Hollie and Penny peppered the goal with shots, but unfortunately couldn’t find the back of the net. The game ended frustratingly goalless.

Slazenger (0) vs. (2) Ben Rhydding 2
The next game proved to be the toughest of the encounters. The team defended well, with goalie Lydia being called on for a series of saves. Again, Madison, Maya and Penny put in strong performances, as did Matilda in the middle. Ben Rhydding proved to be strong in possession and converted a short corner and a second goal in the final minutes of the game.

Slazenger (0) vs. (0) Ben Rhydding 3
This time, slaz came out flying. Grace and Hollie linked up well. Max made some fantastic attacking runs. It was some strong defending and goalkeeping from Ben Rhydding which prevented a goal being scored. The game ended 0-0.

Slazenger (0) vs (1) Wakefield 1
The game against Wakefield was the final fixture. The team worked hard, and moved the ball around well. Matilda was outstanding in midfield, tackling and distributing the ball. All of the players worked hard. Maya, Madison and Lydia kept the opposition out. Hollie, Grace and Max had good shots on goal; Penny never stopped running in the middle. However, Wakefield scored on the dying minutes of the game, to take the win.

The team put in a massive amount of effort, and it was fantastic to see them all playing well. For most of the results, it was only a goal in it, and on another weekend, a few more shots would have found their way into the back of the net to reward the teams hard work. There’s a great team coming together, and only some strong defending kept the team from plenty more goals. Matilda stepped up into midfield and made the position her own. For that she was the player of the tournament.

Proud coaches and parents. Roll on Tournament 3!

U12 Boys A Team Tournament Report – Division 1

A great forward ball from Noah found Edie in the D, she passed to Matthew on the penalty spot but his shot was well saved. Doncaster showed their strength and control as 2 quick goals put them 3-0 up. Harry, Zach and Nikolai did their best but couldn’t keep them out. Doncaster kept attacking and having shot from the top of the D but Nikolai made a brilliant stick save but from the long corner Doncaster scored again. Edie battled well and Caleb made some strong runs. Trysten now in midfield made some good passes but Doncaster were strong and held out at the back. Harry and Zach made some good stops and blocks with Nikolai saving and clearing well. This was a hard first game but they kept battling to the end and should be proud of their effort shown.

Harrogate vs Slaz (1-0)
Slaz started well but was on the back foot, they stayed organised and with some good tackling from Alistair and Noah started to find their rhythm. With good runs from Trysten and Matthew made a good attacking start. Harrogate turned the ball over in midfield and with their break shot and scored despite the efforts of Harry and Nikolai in defence. Zach made some good passes from the back with Noah breaking through the Harrogate defence setting Matthew up who unfortunately couldn’t get a solid shot off. Caleb and Trysten made some important tackles setting Slaz on the attack. Matthew did some great runs and Noah battled well in midfield but couldn’t break through the Harrogate defence. Harrogate looked strong on the attack and after some great tackles and saves from Harry, Zach and Nikolai the managed to squeezed the ball into the Slaz goal. With more pressure from Harrogate and several short corners but great defence by the 4 defenders kept it out. Noah went off injured from the short corner taking the 1st strike on the foot. But everyone worked hard for each other with Alistair, Caleb and Trysten attacking confidently. Zach and Harry battled and tackled tirelessly, trying to keep Harrogate out of the D. Another hard fought game where the boys never gave up and worked hard for each other with lots of effort and good play from all.

Sheffield vs Slaz (4-1)
Sheffield started quickly with an attack down the right, Alistair made a great tackle in defence to clear the danger and with some good passing from Noah and Caleb found Alistair in The D but just put his shot wide. Sheffield made their attacks count with some good play to breech the Slaz defence. Harry, Zach and Noah worked hard to stop the initial attacks but Sheffield took the lead. Caleb, Trysten and Alistair linked up well with Matthew posing a threat upfront but unfortunately Sheffield were strong and kept Slaz out. Noah found his teammates well in midfield and never stopped running and battling for the ball. Nikolai, Zach and Harry made some important blocks and saves to keep Sheffield at bay but Sheffield attacked again and with a well struck shot found the corner of the Slaz goal. Noah took control in the middle finding space and setting up the Slaz attacks with Caleb and Alistair making some great runs and won a short corner. Noah took the strike and slotted in the bottom corner to get Slaz back in the game. Sheffield attacked from the restart and a solo run and shot found the goal. Despite the best efforts of the defence a flick was given away and Sheffield scored to put them clear. The Slaz boys didn’t let their heads drop and worked really hard as a team. Nikolai made some good saves with Tristan and Zach clearing well, Alistair and Caleb making runs in the wings, Noah kept going in midfield and Matthew kept battling to the end.

York vs Slaz (2-1)
A good start from Slaz with Noah, Caleb and Alistair working the ball well between themselves. They looked well organised and kept the attacks out. Trysten made some great tackles on the left of defence and Nikolai made a great save from a York attack but on their next attack York played some nice hockey and used the spare player to put them 1-0 up. Noah made more chances in midfield with Matthew making good runs upfront but couldn’t make the chances count. Caleb and Alistair kept going on the right and linked up well with Zach having a chance saved. Harry made some good clearances in defence, with Noah breaking through and finding Alistair in the D but he just put his shot wide. Slaz kept pressing and putting York under pressure, Trysten and Caleb making good tackles and passes setting up the Slaz attacks. So much character and hard work showed by the Slaz boys to keep battling and creating chances. Noah was quick to react to a free hit and won a short corner. A lovely pass to Matthew from Noah gave him the chance to draw Slaz level and he did with a well taken “Matthew special” reverse flick. Slaz piled on the pressure winning another short corner but was saved and cleared well falling straight for a York attacker who shot and scored to give them back the lead.

That is how the game finished but Slaz can hold their heads high for a great team performance throughout the tournament, working for each other and playing well. They didn’t get the results but have positives to take to the next. Player of the tournament was Caleb for an impressive performance in midfield, displaying composure and confidence in the ball in only his 2nd hockey tournament 👏🏻

U12 Boys B Team Tournament Report – Division 4

Riding the momentum, Dom struck again almost immediately, extending the lead to 3–0. A smart pass from Harry to Jude, who picked out Dom in space, led to Dom sealing a well-earned hat-trick. At the back, Harry and Ewan were solid throughout, breaking down Aire Valley’s attacks and pushing play forward with assistance from a well placed Alfie out on the wing. One of their clearances found Jude, who made no mistake in adding a fifth goal to the tally. As the final whistle approached, more excellent work from Viran, whose strong tackling and precise pass to Dom allowed him to fire in his fourth goal of the match.

Slazenger Vs Adel 1-0
From the first whistle, the Slazenger defence stood strong, with Harry, Ewan, and Jackson putting in a solid shift to keep the opposition at bay. Jackson also made a number of crucial saves throughout the match, showcasing excellent reflexes under pressure. Ewan and Viran worked tirelessly working the ball through the opposition. Alfie made a key interception and drove forward with intent, narrowly missing the target after a promising solo run. Moments later, Ewan delivered a pinpoint cross to Dom, who was just inches away from converting. Adel continued to push, but Slazengers’ defensive line held firm. Jackson pulled off another great save to maintain the clean sheet, and Alfie created another golden opportunity with a sharp cross to Dom, who was again unlucky not to score. The breakthrough came after some outstanding teamwork between Jackson and Harry at the back. Harry then launched a perfect pass downfield, finding Dom in space. With composure and precision, Dom slotted the ball home to seal the win.

Slazenger vs Huddersfield – 0-0
Slazenger were the more attacking side for much of the match, with Ewan and Viran creating several promising opportunities. A first-half short corner saw a near miss on goal by Slazenger, followed by a sharp attempt from Viran that tested the Huddersfield defence. Dom also came close with a missed chance, as Slazenger pushed for the opener. Defensively, Harry, Ewan, and Jackson were rock-solid at the back, putting in a composed and effective performance to keep Huddersfield at bay. Ewan also made several impressive breakthroughs from midfield, driving the team forward with pace and intent. Alfie was instrumental out wide, consistently finding width on the wing and stretching Huddersfield’s defensive structure. The game ended with a short corner to Slazengers where Dom slotted the ball into the goal, but the effort was ruled out as the ball had not come out of the D—leaving the scoreline at 0-0.

Slazenger Vs Aire Valley 4-0
The tone was set early with a fast start from Dom, who opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Moments later, he struck again, giving Slazenger an early two-goal cushion and Jackson was on hand with a crucial save to preserve the clean sheet, keeping momentum firmly with Slazenger. The third goal came from an excellent attacking move — Dom once again made a strong run and fired a shot on goal. The initial effort was saved, but Alfie was alert and perfectly placed to pounce on the rebound, slotting it home on his reverse stick. In midfield and defence, relentless pressure from Harry, Ewan, and Viran kept Aire Valley from building any sustained attacks. Their energy and positioning helped ensure Slazenger maintained control throughout the game. The final goal — and Dom’s hat-trick sealed a well-deserved win and a clean sheet for the team.

Slazenger Vs Adel 0-1
Slazengers started the match with strong intent, with Dom, Viran, and Ewan linking up well to drive the ball forward and apply early pressure on the Adel defence. Viran worked tirelessly throughout, pressing high and disrupting the opposition’s rhythm. Alfie stood strong out wide for the pass towards the goal. In defence, Harry and Jackson were solid, reading the game well and working hard to keep Adel at bay. Despite their efforts, Adel managed to break through and score the only goal of the game. Slazengers continued to push for an equaliser, showing determination and teamwork across the pitch, but ultimately couldn’t find the back of the net.

Slazenger Vs Huddersfield 1-0
The match saw a strong attacking display from Slazenger early on. Ewan delivered a powerful cross into the D, with Dom narrowly missing a scoring opportunity. Slazenger pressed on with a short corner, where Harry made a confident attempt on goal. Viran continued to work hard putting pressure on the opposition. The breakthrough came thanks to excellent teamwork in the D between Alfie and a borrowed Adel player. Their combined effort created the perfect chance, resulting in the decisive goal that secured a 1-0 victory for Slazenger.

The well-deserved Player of the Tournament award goes to Ewan for his exceptional work rate, composure on the ball, and excellent link-up play. A fantastic well rounded performance from the U12’s B team on their first outing together finishing with 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.

Our defence worked tirelessly under pressure, with Beth, Matilda, Lorna, and Katie, supported by Amelia, standing strong and keeping Leeds at bay for long periods. At half time, it was still just 1–0.

In midfield, we welcomed Lauren back, whose work rate and energy shone through as she chased back and drove forward. Adelaide put in a huge shift in the centre, with support from Izzy and, at times, Jess and Edie.

Up front, Ruth, Jess, and Edie battled hard to earn chances, with Darcie and Georgie coming off the bench to bring fresh legs in the first half.

Although the result finished 3–0 to Leeds, the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story. The girls matched the level, playing some real team hockey, never let their heads drop, and showed resilience, character, and great team spirit throughout.

I couldn’t be prouder of the effort from every single player. They gave everything, supported each other, and still managed a laugh afterwards despite the rain.

🌟 Player of the Match – Ami
🍩 Donut of the day – Awarded to…answers on a postcard!

We now move into the Plate competition with plenty of positives to build on. A massive well done to the whole squad – they should all be very proud of themselves! 💚

Men’s 1st’s (3) vs. (0) Huddersfield 1st’s
Slaz Mens 1s aimed to follow up their first win of the season against Scarborough with a second this week as they faced local rivals Huddersfield. Slazengers took control from the very start, building pressure early and making it count with a powerful strike by Asad Baig from a penalty corner. A second goal followed soon after as Slaz won a penalty flick, keenly scored by the returning Danny Perry.

Throughout the first half, Slaz maintained an effective press and fashioned good opportunities from winning the ball back high up the pitch. A third goal came from one such press, with Slaz winning the ball up high, Adam Fall jinking in the D and superbly setting up Jordan Ingham for what is his second – and surely final – goal of the season. After entering the halftime break at 3-0, Slaz struggled to maintain flowing hockey in the second period, but remained defensively resolute and shut up shop effectively. A largely eventless second half will be welcomed by Slaz, with their second 3-0 in two weeks vaulting goalkeeper Andy Loftus up the clean sheet charts as he looks to defend his title.

Special mentions go to man of the match Jordan Ingham and full-time left back / part time Bob Ross enthusiast Emmett Fearn, who ran tirelessly and showcased his silky stick skills throughout. Tougher tests will come for Slaz this season, but three more points for them provide a great platform to build upon next week as they travel to Boston Spa.

Men’s 2nd’s (1) vs. (0) Doncaster 4th’s 
If last week had been a slightly hollow victory against bottom side Chesterfield 3’s, this week was a real test of the 2nd’s grit and determination. On a sunny Saturday morning, with the sun still wiping the sleep from its eyes, Slaz trecked out to meet Doncaster for a truly unreasonable 10am start. However the visitors were keen from last week’s win, keen enough for an unheard of 20 min warmup routine!

From the first whistle, Slazenger were the brighter. Green shirts slipped into formation with quiet confidence, and within minutes the side had found its rhythm. The midfield of Steve Roberts, Ben Graham and the impressive Owen Coughtrey ticked with energy, threading passes into the channels. The front line of Alek Thompson, Ian Hedges and James Stevenson buzzed and wove, pressing the Doncaster defence into hurried clearances. Chances came — several — yet none would yield. Doncaster really were the immovable force; an old school back line, backed up by some impressive saves from the keeper. Slazenger continued to press; an irresistible force winning multiple short corners. However the irresistible force found itself, for now, resisted.

Half-time brought a pause, a breath, and the words of young Matt Birkett, calm but certain that when the game was over, only a single goal would separate the teams. The truth of it hung there, suspended, both a warning and a promise. And so, when the second half began, it did so with fresh conviction. The press tightened, the passes snapped, and the tempo lifted. The pressure provided a penalty corner, and Lucas Smith stepped forward. His drag flick was not one for the highlight reel — a little scuffed, a touch imperfect — but perfection is rarely the measure of glory. The ball bobbled and bounced into the bottom corner. One-nil to Slazenger.

Yet the battle was far from over. Doncaster, wounded but unbroken, threw themselves forward. They pressed with urgency, but the Slazenger defence — disciplined and defiant — met every surge. James Walker picked out a couple of key saves to keep his clean sheet intact, with the whole side battling hard to deny the equaliser that Doncaster so desperately sought. As the final minutes bled away, the rhythm slowed. The morning had become a contest of will, sweat, and belief. When the whistle came at last, it carried both relief and quiet triumph. One goal had indeed decided it. Not a flamboyant goal-fest, but this one was well earned. Through grit, determination and persistence of the entire team and a single, slightly imperfect goal. Followed by a well deserved morning pint and a portion of chilli and rice. The things dreams are made of! Next week Slazenger 2nds look to make it 3 wins in a row as they host local rivals Huddersfield 2’s.

Men’s 3rd’s (2) vs. (1) Leeds 6th’s
What a difference a week makes from the cold, wind and rain of the previous week to beautiful autumnal sunshine this week. Just like the weather has turned around, Slazenger men’s 3’s hoped their fortunes on the pitch would do the same against an experienced Leeds outfit, who in their gleaming white shirts were intent on not allowing that to happen. The game was scheduled to be an away fixture but due to issues with the oppositions pitch this game would be played on the hallowed Horbury turf. Slazenger began very strongly and were camped in the Leeds half of the pitch for the opening 20 minutes. It was the tenacity of Jack Sanderson and Dan Bailey in the midfield who didn’t let their opponents have a second on the ball. That added with the endless running of Tim Carr and Owen Wiper meant the Leeds defence were constantly unsettled and unable to break through a strong Slazenger press. The team in green took the lead after 25 minutes when a well worked move down the right wing and a deceptively placed ball by Ryan Bishop allowed a flying Scott Carruthers to dive in and send the ball soaring into the Leeds net. In the moments that followed neat play by Aidy Buckley and Matt Warwick-Giles almost carved out another chance.

Slazenger then had a period of time in which they had a series of short corners, one of which saw Trevor Armitage come close to converting. Concern was etched all over the faces of those on the terraces as Slazenger stalwart and defensive rock Mark Swallow had to leave the field through injury. The green army had to readjust at the back and as the first half was entering its final moments Leeds managed to find a way through the Slazenger defence. A miss-hit shot bobbled and its way past goalkeeper Daz Buttery into the Slaz’ net. 1 a piece going into the break.

The second half began in the same manner as the first with the Addingford outfit dominating play in the middle of the pitch. Simon Taylor driving forward at every given opportunity and creating havoc with the Leeds players who were unable to tackle him cleanly. It was only a matter of time before the Leeds players started to let their frustration boil over as they received a series of green and then yellow cards due to their inability to tackle the “Horbury locomotive” Taylor as he choo-chooed down the line. On the other side of the field it was Seth Hoole and his spins which were sending the Leeds side dizzy. However, for all their possession Slazengers could not create a clear chance and although they had a series of short corners were unable to convert. It was no surprise that Leeds started to have more possession and play in the Slaz half and James Taylor who was a bystander for long periods of the game was called upon to make some trademark tackles and blocks to frustrate the team in white. It was man of the match Buttery in goal that produced a phonominal save in the final minutes, as he managed to dive down and stop a shot that was fired ferociously towards the bottom corner and deflect it around the corner. This moment of heroism from Buttery drove the Horbury side forwards for one final attack allowing them to win a short corner. Captain Damian Grieg barked out the instructions, he was going to slip it to Carr for a one-two back to him. However as the ball was injected in the Leeds runners spilt which allowed Greig to have his moment in the Saturday morning Sun, a drag flick into the net leaving the Leeds goalkeeper and their defence in a state of bewilderment.

Leeds rushed to push back no sooner did they do so, the umpire raised the whistle to his lips ending the game. The Slazenger supporters went wild as they cheered their heroes from the field. 2-1 winners and feeling like they could beat anyone, let’s hope they can as they face Ben Rhydding next week in what could be a tough game.

Mens 4th’s (1) vs. (0) Rotherham 3rd’s
After sizing the team up and reviewing their previous results Slaz knew it would be a tough game. The day was sunny and bit too warm for some. Rotherham started quicky and dominated the first fifteen mins with Slaz needing most of their players back in their own half. After riding out the pressure Slaz started to grow into the game and finished the first half nil nil. The half time talk was all positive Slaz recognized that we need to support the player with the ball better.

In the second half Slaz started strongly which resulted in Roo Birkett striking the ball into the back of the net from open play. Slaz then started to find the wings more and more as the game went on as Chris and Ben found the space. They were supported well by James, John, Paul, Andy in the midfield in attack. Without the ball Slaz marked up every time and reduced Rotherham to hopefull hits up the middle. Harry and Mark teamed up well to snuff out any of those chances having each others back. Towards the end Rotherham had a last push for the equalizer and came close but always missed the target just being outside of the posts. Dave, Isaac and Lucas tracking back hard to either get a stick in or put pressure on.  The game finished at 1-0 win for Slaz.  It was great to see some big smiles from the team and  especially from Daz Saxton who was buzzing about the clean sheet. A great team effort

Development (2) vs. (1) Doncaster 
What a glorious day for hockey! The sun was shining, spirits were high, and the Slaz Devs put on a brilliant performance full of teamwork and determination. With two goalkeepers available, Nikolai stood strong between the posts while Frances kindly played for Doncaster — though she certainly didn’t make life easy for us! At the back, Harry, Katie, Captain Noah and Will were rock solid, with sharp tackles and clearances. The midfield worked tirelessly, with Adelaide, Izzy, Amelia, Harry, James and Alan spreading the play beautifully, supported by stints from Noah, Ruth and Matthew. Up front, Cerys, Jess and Georgie pushed hard, always looking for opportunities.

The kids showed no fear against their adult opposition, unfazed by the loud shouts as they fought for every ball. Their bravery was rewarded when Ruth struck early in the first half after some excellent build-up play. Chances kept coming — Matthew and Noah both had shots that tested the keeper — but Doncaster eventually equalised (with a little “help” from Uncle Will!). But Slaz wasn’t done. With just 10 seconds left on the clock, Captain Noah drove forward to win a short corner. The pressure mounted, a second corner followed, and Ruth calmly slotted home her second of the day to seal a dramatic 2-1 win!

Player of the Match: Ruth – tireless work rate and two well-deserved goals.
Donut of the Day: Uncle Will – for providing Doncaster with their best assist of the game!

A superb team effort in the sunshine – so much positivity, teamwork and resilience on show.

Ladies 1st’s (4) vs. (4) Wakefield 3rd’s
On the sun-baked plains of Wakefield, the warriors of Slazenger marched to battle upon a *water-based pitch that had not tasted water since Caesar was a boy*. The ground was dry, the dust rose, and the omens were unclear. The enemy struck first, stealing a goal against the run of play. But our shieldmaiden Hannah, captain of the defence, rallied the troops. She led the legion forward, until the ball found Coops, standing alone in the enemy’s D. With no foe brave enough to challenge, she struck true – 1-1, the crowd roared.

Behind her, the defensive wall of Hannah, Marissa, Bella, and Eliz held fast like Roman shields at the Colosseum gates. Yet scandal echoed across the amphitheatre when Amelia was cut down in the D and the umpire – blind as a soothsayer’s goat – saw nothing! Clearly, he had not read the scroll that said: *“Thy task is to watch the game and make decisions.” The forwards pressed. Alys, ever the scout, darted into open space like a cunning gladiator. At a short corner, Emma loosed a strike, Coops deflected, and the scoreboard favoured Slaz: *2-1.* Then Hannah herself, no longer content to defend, unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the D: *3-1.* The people chanted her name.

At half-time, wise Coach Isaac spoke as generals do: “Die by the sword.” The second act saw Frankie, Emma, Amelia, and Rebecca command the midfield, marshalling the ball like Roman cavalry. Eliz stormed the right flank, laying down tackles with the precision of a seasoned legionnaire. Soon Alys struck — sliding in a finish from Coops’ cross. *4-1, and Slaz seemed in control.* GK Ami cleared with bravery, repelling the invaders.

But fate is cruel. Against the run of play, Wakefield clawed back three goals. Some claimed skill, others muttered darkly: “Well played, umpires…” With the score tied at *4-4*, Slaz fought to the final whistle but could not find the winner.

Still, the honours of battle were shared:
Player of the Match: Alys*, for cunning movement and a clinical strike.
*Tart of the Day: Frankie*, for bellowing at spectators louder than any Roman trumpet.
As Coach Isaac declared: “They defend a lot, so they’re getting quite good at it.” And so, the dust settles. The battle ends in stalemate. But the legions of Slazenger live to fight another day.

Ladies 2nd’s (1) vs. (3) Harrogate 3rd’s
Slazenger 2s travelled to Harrogate for a challenging away fixture and made a strong start to the game. The visitors took an early lead through a well-worked short corner. Lou stepped up with confidence and fired a straight strike past the Harrogate keeper, giving Slaz the perfect start. However, Harrogate responded quickly, ramping up the pressure and finding their rhythm. Before the break, the home side struck twice in quick succession, turning the scoreline around and heading into half-time 2–1 up.

A focused team talk at the interval saw Slazenger come out with renewed energy. Arina and Ellie made some excellent driving runs, breaking through Harrogate’s lines and creating several good chances. And Lucy continued to battle hard in midfield and defence, showing great work rate and determination throughout. Despite the strong second-half effort, Harrogate remained clinical on the counter and added two more goals to extend their lead. Slazenger kept pushing until the final whistle, but the hosts held firm to secure the win. A committed away performance from Slazenger 2s, with plenty of positives to take forward. Final Score: Harrogate 4 – 1 Slazenger 2s

Ladies 3rd’s (4) vs. (0) Harrogate 5th’s
It was a warm one as Slazenger 3s welcomed Harrogate 5s to their home turf. With a new formation in play and spirits high, Slazenger came out fighting from the first whistle — and it quickly showed. The early pressure paid off when Evie Mollart, perfectly positioned in front of goal, made a composed conversion to give the hosts an early lead. The midfield was dominant throughout the first half, with Lisa Minchella, Stacey Drake and Mollie Glover controlling the play. Minchella, later named Player of the Match, was particularly impressive, while Glover’s growing confidence on and off the ball was evident.

Just before half time, Slazengers doubled their advantage. Centre forward Caro Scofield called for the ball at the penalty spot, and Minchella delivered a pinpoint long pass straight to her stick. Scofield made no mistake, slotting it home to send Slazengers into the break 2–0 up. Harrogate came out stronger in the second half, but the Slazengers defence stood firm. The back line of Sarah Ritchtea, Nicole Fillingham, Zoe Searson, and Lucy England worked seamlessly together to shut down the visitors’ attacks. On the rare occasions Harrogate broke through, goalkeeper Lauren Hattersley was there to clear the danger.

Slazenger extended their lead when a powerful pass from Drake found Mollart, who coolly converted again — another goal to add to her growing tally this season. Harrogate continued to press and came close, forcing a fine save from Hattersley and a brave goal-line clearance from England. The hosts weren’t finished yet. Scofield struck again late in the game to make it 4–0 and secure a well-deserved victory for the home side. It was a dominant display from front to back, with several standout performances. Player of the Match was a close call between Mollie Glover and Lisa Minchella, but Minchella just edged it for her tireless work and midfield control. A great team performance — and a well-earned win in the sunshine for Slazenger 3s!

Ladies 4th’s (0) vs. (5) Tadcaster 2rd’s
Slazenger Ladies 4s were back on the road this weekend, travelling to face a strong Tadcaster 2s side. Despite a determined effort, it was a tough outing for Slaz, who fell to a 5–0 defeat in a match that was closer than the scoreline suggests. Tadcaster struck early, taking a 1–0 lead within the first five minutes after a swift counterattack caught Slaz off-guard. The home side doubled their advantage soon after, converting a short corner in a goalmouth scramble that left the visitors trailing 2–0. 

Slazenger regrouped at halftime and came out in the second half with renewed optimism and improved structure. The midfield worked tirelessly to build play, and the defence remained resilient under pressure. However, Tadcaster raised the intensity in the closing stages, and as fatigue set in, Slaz conceded three more goals in the final eight minutes. Despite the result, there were positives to take from the performance. Goalkeeper Tori was outstanding between the posts, pulling off a string of excellent saves to keep the scoreline respectable and deservedly earning Player of the Match.

It was Edie who finally broke the deadlock, striking first to put her name on the scoresheet! The momentum kept rolling, and moments later captain Ruth’s pinpoint shot found the bottom corner to double the lead. At the back, Beth, Lorna, and Tilda were rock solid – timing tackles perfectly and clearing danger with confidence. With the defence locking things down, the forwards pushed again, and Edie grabbed her second of the game – tireless pressing and hard work earning her a well-deserved goal.

Short corners came thick and fast, but Leeds defended bravely to deny more goals. In midfield, Amelia, Adelaide, Izzy, and Jess worked tirelessly to keep play flowing, with Katie stepping in brilliantly out of position to support the team. A superb pass out of defence released Jess, who delivered a perfect cross for captain Ruth to slot home – 4-0 to Slaz! Georgie and Jess then joined the front line, finding excellent space and helping keep the pressure on right up to the half-time whistle. Half time brought a quick team talk in the warm sunshine, and the girls were buzzing. Leeds, however, came out determined and pulled one back with a well-worked team goal. But Slaz showed their grit, pushing forward again. Ami continued to shine in goal with a string of brave saves, but Leeds managed to sneak in two more after defensive lapses and some tired legs. Even so, Slaz never let their heads drop. The whole team but especially Adelaide battled ferociously in midfield, showing true Slaz spirit and driving the team on. That fighting energy paid off when Edie – who was unstoppable all match – completed her hat-trick and a bonus goal to secure a 6-3 win. It was a cracking game of hockey, full of team goals, smart passing, and brilliant teamwork. The coaches were bursting with pride, and the Ladies 1s captain watching from the sidelines said the team looked incredible.

Opposition Player of the Match: Ami (for those top-class saves!)
Team Player of the Match: Matilda (solid in defence!)
Donut of the Day: Gemma – for making it to the wrong venue (but on time!)
Another fine victory for the U14s – and in the sunshine too! Next week it’s a cup clash… against Leeds once again. Bring it on; Home at 3pm so come down to cheer us on! 

Immediately after, Owen W showed some great skill to take it round the right, teeing up Aleks for a simple finish, doubling the lead with 15 minutes played – 2-0 Slaz. Now using this momentum, Slazenger capitalised on the off-guard Rotherham defensive lines, and Aleks played James in for his first of the day – 3-0 Slaz. The lads in green continued to press on, attempting to increase an already impressive lead, and in the 21st minute, they used a short corner effectively when Owen C slipped it left for James to make it 4-0. However, the opposition scored a solid goal in retaliation, a reverse hit from the top of the D – 4-1 Slaz. 

In nets, GK George made some very good saves, and supported by outstanding defence led by Jack with Harry and Ollie S. Slaz returned to the early goal scoring form, as James got yet another goal (give it a rest mate), after a great solo run – 5-1 Slaz. Shortly before the half closed, a central attack coordinated by el Capitano, Owen C ended up with Ollie T slotting it for 6, then a quick combination of Seth to Aleks to Ollie T made it 7-1 to Slaz at the break. An extremely impressive display from everyone on the pitch; special mention to younger players Ollie S and Alfie who stepped up incredibly, helping the team build a great lead at half time.

In the second half, the lack of substitutions began to take effect, as tired legs kicked in, and Rotherham, despite losing a player to injury, attempted to fight back. GK George had an outstanding half (winning him an unanimous Player of the Match); making save after save, keeping the gap large. Unfortunately, on 58’ and 63’, Rotherham converted two short corners, making the difference 4 – 7-3 Slaz. Slazenger did have chances of their own in the second half including short corners and passes across the D, but couldn’t quite convert any, keeping the final score 7-3. 

A valiant performance away from home rounded off an excellent run of games – the players should be proud; coaches Aidan, Ingrid and Tuddy certainly are, based on the team performances so far this season! Three good wins from three !!!

Men’s 1st’s (3) vs. (0) Scarborough 1st’s
Slazenger Mens 1s took a trip to the seaside for their third game of the season, this time against Scarborough. Despite not netting any points in there opening two games, Slaz came in buoyed by solid performances, despite missing key players.

What followed was a scrappy first half, with both sides fighting tooth and nail to reel in some control. Slaz created a number of good chances through a relentless Jimmy Swinden up top, but no goals materialised despite Slaz playing hard hockey. They went into the half time break 0-0 but looking like they could build in the second period.

And, with a renewed focus on building possession in the second half, Slaz’s efforts began to pay dividends. After an incisive forward gallop from captain Ben Stevenson – resplendent in his brand new shorts – a flowing move fell to Amar Khalil at top D who battered a shot into the corner. Soon after, the Scarborough defence begun to flounder and a second flowing move saw Joe Minchella playing a delicious one-two before playing in Isaac Fisher who arrived at the right time and plaice to finish off the move with a chip from top D.

A final goal was added by “Air Jordan” Ingham, diving in at the back post to cutely deflect in an Amar Khalil reverse stick shot and notch his first goal of the season surprisingly quickly.

Slaz remained solid at the back, with a strong performance from Asad Baig and an unlikely clean sheet for Andy Loftus, meaning the scoreline finished 3-0 to Slaz, who looked every bit deserving of the result, having played with heart and sole all game long.

Special mentions go to Harry Firth for a fantastic debut in the 1s and what is sure to be the first appearance of many, and Amir Khalil whose experience and guile ran the game in the second half.

Slaz host Huddersfield at home next week as they look to build on their first win of the season and prove this result was no fluke.

Men’s 2nd’s (6) vs. (0) Chesterfield 3rd’s
The seconds hosted travelling side Chesterfield 3rd’s, with an eye to recovering from a bumpy start to the season. Coming away with a 6-0 win and a clean sheet, the team certainly achieved that. Even in what could be best described as wet conditions.

Slazenger started with the higher tempo and moved the ball around with pace. The home team were able to create space, with Ste Roberts, Owen Coughtrey and Paul Wiper linking up well in the middle. Early in the first half the pressure resulted in a short corner after some deft play by Aleks Thompson. Ian Hedges was able to convert; after the keeper stopped his first strike, he put the second shot into the top corner to put the side ahead.

With nerves settled, the team began to press, winning the ball and attacking against the visitors. Jack Mumford took the opportunity inside the circle, smashing the ball past the goalie, and Ian Hedges bagged his second, converting a second corner with a well taken flick.

In the second half, the weather began to dry out. Against form, Slaz continued to play with composure and shape. Aleks Thompson was rewarded for his hard work up front with 2 goals and Hedges’ fancy footwork bagged his third for an unheard-of hat trick(the first in 10 years?)

The last 5 minutes weren’t the teams finest, and a scrappy defensive effort was needed to ensure that keeper James Walker finished with a clean sheet.

Next week Slaz look to keep the momentum going with an early fixture at Doncaster.

Men’s 3rd’s (3) vs. (4) Leeds Adel 5th’s
On a wet, cold and windy Saturday morning Slazenger mens 3’s were at home to Leeds Adel. It seemed as though the early start had caught the hosts out and they were still waking up as the visitors were 3-0 after 10 minutes.

The Addingford outfit weren’t dampened by this and slowly began to get a hold of the game, Jack Sanderson, Ally Smith and Seth Hoole linking up well and putting pressure on the Leeds midfield. Eventually the pressure the home side paid off when a penalty fick was awarded and putting pressure away by captain Damien Grieg. The rain continued to bounce down as Slazenger’s went in 3-1 down at half time.

The second half was a completely different one to the first Simon Taylor and Will Carr setting attack after attack up with some great passes out from defence. On the hour mark Slaz’ dominance paid off as Josh Swallow scored to make the score 2-3. The team continued to play some exceptional hockey and dominated Leeds however a defensive mistake allowed the Leeds forward to punish the hosts and put them 4-2 up. Slazenger, like the weather were relentless as they continued to play an attractive brand of hockey and with 3 minutes to go saw Greig score again to make bring the hosts within one.

However, the Horbury side couldn’t find a deserved equaliser and slipped to a 4-3 defeat. There were many positives to take from the game and the green machine will look to start spritely next week when they have another 10am start against Leeds.

Men’s 4th’s (Postponed)
No Game. Match against Wakefield postponed as they were unable to field a team.

Development (0) vs. (5) Sheffield
Well the Men’s 1st Team may have been at Scarborough today but I doubt they saw as much sand as greeted the Team on arrival at Sheffield today…I was expecting donkey rides at half time! But putting aside their temptation to get out the buckets & spades, the Team got stuck in 👊

It was immediately obvious that Sheffield were going to be tough opponents (and no doubt more familiar to playing on a beach!) and so it proved with them scoring 4 in the first half despite some strong defence from Noah in particular and Nikolai’s usual 110% effort in goal.

I’m not entirely sure what the coaches said during the half time talk but it certainly worked because it was a revitalised Slaz team who took to the pitch for the 2nd 35 minutes!

There were some tremendous runs forwards from Adelaide, Ruth & Izzy and several times we seemed on the brink of scoring but despite the best efforts of Georgina, Darcie & Ella, the ball refused to go over the line (not helped by a Sheffield goal keeper who may have driven to the match 🤔🤣). Jess, Cerys and Charlie continued to recycle the ball & push hard from midfield but unfortunately it just wasn’t to be today and the score ended 5-0 (we shall gloss over Sheffields 5th goal as it was very much against the run of play)

Teas: chip butties and sausages….devoured with enough gusto to suggest that the kids hadn’t been fed all year!

Player of the Match: Noah for a tremendously solid game at right back…thoroughly well deserved

Donut: I think we were all hoping Adelaide would continue her early season form 🤣 but instead it went to Ruth for her inexplicably collapsing legs ❤️

Thank you to Keith, Mark & Gemma for being the playing adults and imparting hockey wisdom on their young colleagues 👊

Plenty to learn from today but they should all be very proud of their work rate and coming out SO strongly in the 2nd half…..WELL DONE 👊❤️❤️❤️

Ladies 1st’s (3) vs. (1) Lindum 2nd’s
The Storm and the Salvation

And lo, after many weeks wandering in the wilderness of illness, injury, and absence, the Slazengers Ladies 1s were finally restored to full strength. A complete squad assembled once more on home turf, ready to face the visitors from Lindum under ominous, cloud-laden skies.

From the first whistle, Slazengers played with the fire of Pentecost — intensity, purpose, and faith in one another. The early passages of play were filled with promise as the forwards pressed and tested the Lindum defence time and again. At last, salvation came through Mollie, who struck the opening goal after persistent pressure — her reward for belief and hard graft.

But as with all good tales, temptation followed triumph. Lindum, not to be outdone, mounted attacks of their own, sending waves of pressure upon the steadfast Slazengers defence. Yet Emma, Rebecca, Bella, Eliz, and Marissa stood like disciples at the gate — resolute, unyielding, and backed by the fearless young guardian Ami, whose saves shone brighter than the rainbow soon to come.

Still, the Slazengers’ faith did not waver. Another barrage of attacking play from the midfielders Amelia and Zoe led to Frankie finding the net, doubling the lead before the blessed interval. With oranges for communion and the wise words of Ailish (a prophet returned to the sideline), the team prepared for the second half — a test of endurance and spirit.

However, as if to remind the faithful that no journey is without trial, Lindum struck early after the restart, slipping through the defence to claim one back. But Captain Hannah, calm and commanding, gathered her flock and restored order, distributing the ball with vision and grace. Mollie, Millie, and Alys continued to torment the Lindum defence, ensuring their prayers for respite went unanswered.

Then came the deluge — Storm Amy descended from the heavens, and the rain fell as though the floodgates had been opened. The pitch became a sea of puddles, sticks splashed, and passes flowed like rivers. Yet amid the chaos, Slazengers endured. Their reward came through Millie, cool and composed, who slotted home the third goal with divine precision.

As the final whistle blew, and the storm eased, the Slazengers emerged victorious — 3–1 the final score, a testament to unity, resilience, and faith under fire.

Next week, a local derby against Wakefield awaits — a new chapter in this season’s scripture. But for now, the gospel according to Slazengers is clear: believe, battle, and play with heart.

Man of the Match: Millie – calm, clinical, and heaven-sent.

Let us not forget Lord Coops, who surveyed the tempest from the safety of the sidelines and wisely decreed that the weather was far too unholy for her to grace the pitch. While others were baptised in the downpour, she remained dry — a figure of divine foresight (or perhaps just very good sense). We can only assume she’ll descend from on high next week, once the waters have parted and the sun has returned to the land of Slaz.

Ladies 2nd’s (2) vs. (1) Ben Rhydding 3rd’s
After the previous week of a cancelled match, Slaz was fired up to head into another game. With Storm Amy making an appearance Slaz didn’t let her take over the game and battled consistently through the first half but unfortunately Ben Rhydding was rewarded a goal resulting the first half to a 1-0 loss with. straight strike. The second half saw Slazenger come out with renewed determination with many rewarded short corners but couldn’t get it past the keeper, however multiple attempts on rebound Maisie managed to slot the ball behind the keeper into the goal, earning slaz an equaliser of 1-1. The windy conditions made for a scrappy game, and tensions ran high throughout. Ben Rhydding found themselves on the wrong side of the umpire more than once, picking up several cards, however Slaz kept determinations high and with great batting from Kez who picked up the ball in midfield quickly spotted Maisie making a sharp run into space. With a perfectly quick pass, Kez threaded the ball through to Maisie who ran into the oppositions goal, passing it through to Mia who slotted it into the goal making the score 2-1 and shortly after the whistle blew to finalise the game.

Ladies 3rd’s (3) vs. (5) City of York 4th’s
Slazenger travelled to York this weekend to take on York 4s, who had made a flying start to the league and sat top of the table.

York were quick out of the blocks, finding the net within minutes of the opening whistle and then again soon after. Slazengers, however, refused to panic and began to settle into the game. Their persistence paid off when Evie Mollart struck from a short corner routine.

Not wanting to be left out Natalie Beech then made the scoresheet in spectacular fashion. Unfortunately, it was the wrong scoresheet. A ball taken high and flew into the top corner of her own net with the sort of finish most strikers dream about. Both sides traded further goals before the break, with Mollart calmly slotting home her second of the match from another well-worked short corner.

In the second half, Slazengers’ defensive line really clicked together nicely, while keeper Tracy Lorriman produced a string of fine saves to keep her side in contention. From midfield, Stacey Drake was driving the team forward, firing balls into the attacking line. Returning forward Ruby Rodgers showed she hadn’t lost her touch, creating problems for the York defence.

Slazengers’ third goal came from a moment of individual brilliance, as Ellie Page weaved her way past three defenders before rifling the ball onto the backboard — a superb solo effort that brought the visitors within one goal of their hosts.

Unfortunately, York struck again late on to restore their two-goal cushion, and the game ended 5–3. The scoreline didn’t quite reflect the balance of play, with Slazengers unlucky not to come away with more.

Player of the Match went to Sian Glover, who stepped into the defensive line with composure, broke up play with smart tackles, and looked threatening going forward.

Ladies 4th’s (2) vs. (4) Huddersfield Dragons 3rd’s
Slazenger Ladies 4s travelled to Huddersfield to take on Dragons 3s in what proved to be a competitive and hard-fought match.

Despite some early pressure from the home side, the Slazengers midfield — comprising Toni Beverley, Phoebe Mitchell, Amelia Leonard and Mandy Greenwood — soon found their rhythm. Showing good composure and fluid passing, they began to control the tempo of the game.

Around 20 minutes in, Arina Lee capitalised on a loose ball, driving forward on her own to beat the defence and slot home the opening goal. She followed this up shortly after with another superb solo effort, putting Slazengers 2–0 up and firmly in control.

However, Huddersfield Dragons responded before the break, pulling one back and shifting the momentum just before half-time.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Dragons side come out with renewed intensity. They soon found the equaliser and began to turn the screw against a tiring Slazengers team. Despite some determined defending, the pressure eventually told as Dragons scored again to take the lead.

Slazengers struggled to create clear chances in the latter stages and were unable to find a way back into the game, in the dying moment Deagosn managed to find the back of the net again to firmly secure their victory..

The final score ended in a 4-2 defeat for Slazenger. Player of the Match went to Arina Lee for her two excellent goals and tireless work up front.

A special mention also goes to Amelia Leonard, who impressed in her ladies’ hockey debut, showing great promise in midfield.

After a piercing ball through to Aleks Thompson, who teed up Ollie Tuddenham for his first of the day. A two goal lead for Slaz with 14 minutes played. However, Adel began to build some momentum but strong defence from Jack Sanderson, Harry Firth and Ollie Smith kept Slaz ahead. Adel’s pressure won them numerous short corners, which eventually they converted despite some good defending and some great saves from George Hutchinson. 2-1 after 17min.

Conceding this goal seemed to wake up the Slaz team, as some great moves down the right, with the midfield’s support, eventually turned into a goal as Aleks got his first with a clinical finish. Minutes before half-time, Slazenger had the ball in back of the net, a great finish by Owen W, but it was disallowed. 3-1 to Slaz at the break; a decent half, but with occasional lapses in concentration team wide, and more communication was required.

Slaz did not let up on the pressure and used the momentum of the first half to finally get the fourth within five minutes of the restart, Aleks with his second, after some great work from Will Carr and a great pass through from Owen W. A short corner apiece ensued, but both keepers made great saves to keep the ball out. Slaz made it 5-1 after a brilliant team move: Ally found Owen W along the left, who played it into Aleks, who in turn set up Ollie T, the latter two once again linking up. The sixth came from some great passing from Owen C and Ollie T, and an excellent tap in by Evan.

Adel pushed for consolation goals, getting two in the space of five minutes after good counter-attacking and pressure from the opposition. To respond, Slaz looked to make it 7-3, and after a great ball from Alfie Mcalinden, Aleks almost scored his second hat trick in two weeks, but his shot went narrowly wide. With minutes left on the clock, Ally showed some great individual skill to turn in the seventh, rounding off an overall dominant display from the Slaz lads, with some strong performances from every player on the pitch. Perhaps complacent at times, but a good win nonetheless.

Thanks to Tuddy and Tim for umpiring and all the support on the sideline for both teams.

U10 Boys Tournament Report 1

Slazenger v Ben Rhydding – 1–0 win
Slazenger started with intensity, immediately putting Ben Rhydding under pressure. Dom and Matthew linked up well in the opening minute and were unlucky not to score, but Matthew made no mistake moments later, slotting home to give Slazenger an early lead. Ben Rhydding pushed for an equaliser, but a brilliant save from Jackson preserved the advantage. At the back, Harry put in a superb shift, breaking down attacks with confidence, while Edward read the play well, linking up with Dom to keep the ball moving forward.
Matthew continued to impress with sharp runs and intelligent passing. A key moment saw him drive down the pitch and nearly double the lead. Dom and Alfie both came close to scoring, while George kept the tempo high in attack. Slazenger’s defensive trio of Harry, Edward and Jackson were rock solid, with clearances and tackles that shut down any danger. The final minutes saw Slazenger press for a second, with Matthew’s flair and Harry’s relentless pressure ensuring the 1–0 scoreline stood.

Slazenger v York – 0–0
A tightly contested match saw Slazenger hold firm against a strong York side. Edward and Harry were outstanding at the back, showing great discipline and anticipation. Matthew, captaining the side, led by example with constant communication and excellent decision-making.
Jackson made several crucial saves to keep things level early on, while Alfie showed grit in attack, winning the ball back under pressure. Matthew and Max worked effectively through the midfield to link up with Dom, who consistently challenged York’s defence. Defensively, Harry, Edward, and Matthew were composed and decisive, repeatedly stopping York’s advances.
Late in the game, a promising counter saw Alfie set up Matthew, who fed Dom in the D — the shot narrowly missed, but it capped off a spirited and well-organised display. Slazenger’s defensive structure and team commitment earned a deserved clean sheet.

Slazenger v Sheffield – 0–1 loss
Sheffield started strong, but Slazenger responded well, with Dom making a great early run and chipping the ball past a defender to gain ground. Max added pressure with a strong tackle and pass to Dom, who continued to ask questions of the Sheffield defence.
Harry made a key early tackle, and along with Edward, kept Sheffield at bay for much of the half. However, a quick interception allowed Sheffield to edge ahead with a well-taken goal. Despite the setback, Slazenger responded with drive and determination. Matthew’s powerful pass created chances, and Dom showed strong pace despite carrying a knock.
The closing stages saw Harry, Edward and Jackson hold firm, while Matthew and George pushed forward in search of an equaliser. A strong defensive finish limited Sheffield’s chances, and Slazenger can be proud of a battling performance against tough opposition.

Slazenger v Wakefield – 3–0 win
Slazenger finished on a high with a dominant 3–0 win over Wakefield. Max set the tone with early pressure, and Harry and Edward controlled the game from the back. Alfie made a confident run, leading to a quick build-up that saw Matthew find Dom, who calmly finished to open the scoring.
Slazenger’s pressing was relentless, with Harry making a key interception and Matthew controlling the middle. Dom continued to trouble the defence, forcing Wakefield into errors. Edward’s composure at the back allowed Slazenger to recycle possession and keep the pressure on.
Dom scored his second after capitalising on a loose clearance, and Matthew soon added a third with a confident strike. There was a moment of humour late on as Harry unleashed a powerful shot from outside the D and began to celebrate — only to be reminded by the coach that it wouldn’t count!
From front to back, Slazenger displayed control, intensity, and great chemistry to close out the tournament with a resounding win.

The team’s strong performances across all matches reflected their focus, work rate, and clear understanding of their roles. Every player played their part in a fantastic campaign, with strong moments of individual brilliance and outstanding teamwork throughout.

🌟Player of the Tournament – Edward
Edward was a standout across all four matches. His calm presence, smart tackles, and ability to turn defence into attack were key to Slazenger’s success — a thoroughly well-earned award.

👏 Well done to all involved!

U10 Girls Tournament Report 1

The first two matches were against Ben Rhydding & Sheffield and were both scoreless draws, in the first was well earned as Ben Rhydding had a tight defence & Frances was required to make some keys saves & some interceptions from Maia, Penny & Ella. The second was a closer match with 505/50 possession with no real chance on goal by either side.

The 3rd match was a win against Thirsk, Slaz played their best hockey in this match & had a lot of possession & linked up well, in particular Ella, Izzy, Tilly & Sophie in the opponents half. The goal was scored by Ella but Izzy & Tilly were involved.

As it was a 4 team division the teams played each other again. So again first up was Ben Rhydding in match 4. This time Slaz were unable to stop Ben Rhydding from scoring & didn’t really bother their opponents goal. The score was 1-0 & would have been more if it wasn’t for some good defending by Maia, Ellie & Emily but also determination from Frances who made some keys saves.

The 5th match was against Sheffield & was another 50/50 affair with Sheffield having the better of the first part & scoring first & Slazenger rallying to finisher stronger & equalising again by Ella who linked up well again with Izzy & Tilly.

The last match was against Thirsk & was another 0-0, Slazenger had more possession & Thirsk had only one attack on Slaz’s goal. Slaz looked the more likely to score but again struggled to convert.

Scoring is undoubtedly the area to improve in as a team but overall a positive start with performances where the team worked hard & supported each other, new comers Ellie, Emily & Tilly all grew in confidence over the course of the matches & were happy to play in different positions as did the rest of the team. Izzy was player of the tournament & worked tirelessly upfront either chasing back to defend or harassing defenders in the D

Under 10 mixed team tournament
U10 Mixed team Match Report 💚🏑🐝

What a day on the pitch! Our mixed Bee team showed incredible skill, teamwork and grit in four tough matches.

Game 1 – Result: 1–0 Win
The winning moment came from a brilliant run by Hattie, setting up Dylan to slot the ball home with confidence. In defence, Bryce made important stops and distributed passes calmly, while Beatrix and Emily were fearless in tackles and linking play. Henry kept the ball moving with neat passes, and Heidi was quick to close down opposition players to stop counters. Evelyn supported the midfield well, showing good awareness and movement to give her teammates options.

Game 2 – Result: 1–1 Draw
Dylan was once again on the scoresheet with a sharp finish, built on excellent groundwork from the whole team. Hattie and Bryce worked tirelessly at the back, closing down attackers and blocking shots, while Beatrix’s strong tackles helped regain possession. In midfield, Emily threaded clever passes into space, and Henry switched play with accurate long balls. Heidi pressed forward with energy, linking neatly with Evelyn, whose composure helped the team retain the ball under pressure.

Game 3 – Result: 1–0 Win
Slazenger dominated possession and territory before breaking through with a fine team goal. Henry was central to the attack with precise passes, while Heidi and Evelyn combined effectively to sustain pressure. Hattie and Beatrix were rock-solid in defence, winning duels and pushing play forward quickly. Emily provided great link-up in midfield, ensuring rhythm and control. Bryce contributed both defensively and by driving the ball forward. Dylan’s pressing created space and chances, adding energy in attack and defence.

Game 4 – Result: 1–0 Win
Bryce scored a superb goal that came from strong teamwork in defence, showing how quickly the team could transition from back to front. Heidi was a constant attacking threat, forcing saves with excellent shots, while Henry kept play flowing with clever forward passes. Emily and Evelyn linked well through midfield, moving the ball into dangerous positions, and Beatrix made key interceptions to cut out counters. Hattie used her pace to surge down the wings, keeping the opposition under pressure, while Dylan battled hard up front and dropped back to support the defence when needed.

It was a superb tournament performance from the Slazenger juniors, marked by excellent individual efforts and outstanding teamwork. From brave tackles in defence to clever passing in midfield and sharp finishing up front, every single player — Dylan, Hattie, Bryce, Emily, Beatrix, Henry, Heidi, and Evelyn — contributed to the team’s success.

🌟 Player of the Tournament: Bryce who was a vital team player today in his first ever tournament!

👏 Huge well done to all the players — unstoppable teamwork and passion today!

England Hockey’s code of conduct has been refreshed this season, and with is are some changes to simplify and streamline the code. Please take a moment to read below. We believe that it is important to follow this values, whether you be a player, spectator or official involved in the sport.

Hockey prides itself on fostering an open and welcoming community for individuals from all backgrounds, ensuring that everyone who wants to experience hockey can be involved, feel valued, and be safe. England Hockey is dedicated to promoting and protecting the welfare of all participants, urging everyone to consistently uphold and promote the values and integrity of our sport.

The code of conduct is designed to ensure that everyone in our sport, from players and coaches to umpires, officials, and spectators, contributes to an environment that is safe, respectful, and enjoyable for all. By adhering to this code and embracing these values, we demonstrate the behaviours expected of
participants within the game. These values unite us as a sport—it is reflected in how we communicate, treat each other with respect, act with integrity, behave within our community, involve others, and see hockey as a force for good in society

Values uphold and protect our sense of fairness and help define how we behave with each other both on and off the pitch. Values are not rules, but rather a guide – a moral compass that sets expectations for our behaviour in every aspect of the game. Whether you are playing, coaching, umpiring, running your club, or managing the governing body, these values guide how we interact and what we can expect from one another

More information can be found on the England Hockey Website here

As part of this, the club’s disciplinary code has had a refresh to align with the above and recent changes to the Red Card and MMO regulations..

Playing against a lively Leeds Uni side, Slaz struggled to get anything going. The whole match felt like an uphill battle: slow to start, awkward in transition, and everything just that little bit harder than it needed to be. Leeds didn’t score anything particularly special, but somehow the scrappy, bouncing mess always seemed to work in their favour. Right place, right time — every time.

But even in a performance that felt clunky and hard to shift, we found some moments of relief.
Millie opened our account after a rogue, bobbly ball squirmed through a crowd of players. It wasn’t pretty, but she was there to guide it in — a gritty finish in a messy passage of play.
Emma followed it up with a far more satisfying moment, the result of Frankie going absolutely feral through the midfield. She bulldozed her way past defenders like she’d been possessed, leaving Leeds in disarray and Emma with a clean shot. Clinical. Cathartic. Just what we needed.

Defensively, Eliz was a wall. Calm, composed, and constantly in the right place, she pulled off some perfectly timed tackles and kept the back line from completely unravelling. She rightly took Player of the Match for her consistency and command.

Alys, brand new to ladies hockey and still fresh-faced, looked like she’d been playing for years. Calm under pressure, cool in tight spaces — not a single moment of panic. One to watch. Zoe was relentless — up and down the pitch all game, pressing, tracking, and generally running herself into the ground. A real shift put in from first whistle to last.

And Frankie… dear god. The chaos she brought was unmatched. Aggression, energy, and limbs flying. She left parts of the Leeds midfield questioning their life choices — and left herself with Tart of the Day honours for a mysteriously sore bum cheek. We didn’t ask.

It wasn’t the smooth, free-flowing performance we wanted — more stop-start, awkward, and harder to move than it should’ve been — but sometimes that’s how it goes. We’re shaking it off, regrouping, and looking ahead to next week, when the full squad’s back and we can get things shifting properly again.

Ladies 2nds
No Game

Ladies 3rd’s (6) vs. (3) Otliensians 1st’s
Slazenger Ladies 3s returned to home turf this weekend to take on Otliensians and produced an exciting display of attacking hockey to secure a 6–3 victory.

The hosts got off to a flying start when Caro Schofield opened the scoring within the first few minutes, calmly finding the backboard for the first of her three goals. Slazenger looked sharp and cohesive, moving the ball well and linking up across the pitch. Their dominance was soon rewarded again when Sian whipped in a cross that was brilliantly taken out of the air and finished by Player of the Match Arina Lee. Momentum stayed with the home side, and from a well-drilled short corner routine Schofield struck again to make it 3–0. Otley rallied just before half-time, pulling one back to keep themselves in the game.

The second half began with more pressure from Slazengers, and Arina’s blistering pace down the right caused chaos in the Otley defence. Her driving run set up Evie Millart, who lashed home a powerful first-time strike to restore the three-goal cushion. Otley responded well, keeping the contest alive with some end-to-end play, and were rewarded with a well-taken strike into the top corner.

But then came Caro Schofield’s veteran masterclass. With the calmness of someone who’s been there, done that, and probably still has the wooden sticks to prove it, she completed her hat trick with a brilliant first-time finish from a long corner. Rumour has it she’ll be selling DVDs of her performance titled “How to Age Like Fine Wine and Still Bag Goals.”

Otley managed to grab another goal back, but Slazenger weren’t finished. Ellie Page capped off a superb solo run, weaving past defenders before coolly slotting the ball past the keeper to seal the 6–3 win. It was a strong team performance full of energy, creativity, and determination—leaving Slazenger Ladies 3s rightly proud of their efforts

Ladies 4ths (0) vs. (4) Cleckheaton 1st’s
Slazenger Ladies 4s welcomed local rivals Cleckheaton in what proved to be a challenging yet spirited encounter on home turf.

Despite the final 0–4 score-line, there were plenty of positives to take from the match. The defensive line, bolstered by the return of the experienced Ingrid Coughtrey, showed real composure under pressure. Goalkeeper Lisa Ellis made several key saves to keep Slazenger in the game, especially during a sustained period of Cleckheaton pressure. Although will also hold her hands up that 2 of the goals shouldn’t have got past her, especially the 2nd Cleckheaton goal that she made no attempt to move for, simply watched it go past.

Beth Buckley stood out with a tireless performance, particularly when she intercepted the ball deep in her own half and dribbled through multiple players over three-quarters of the pitch. Her effort and determination earned her the well-deserved Player of the Match accolade.

In midfield, May Bailey shook off a rocky start and went on to dominate the central areas, linking well with Julie Bailey, Phoebe Mitchell, and Sophie Longfield to distribute the ball and build attacking play. Her composure on the ball and vision helped stretch the Cleckheaton formation, even if clear-cut chances were hard to come by.

The forward line of Mandy Greenwood, Charlotte Young, Kirsty Goddard, and Gemma Wroe worked relentlessly to press high and create space, but Cleckheaton’s disciplined defence—often dropping numbers back—proved too stubborn to break down. While the result didn’t reflect the team’s effort and energy, the match showcased strong individual performances, a growing defensive partnership, and glimpses of excellent teamwork that will serve Slazenger well in the coming fixtures.

Men’s 1sts
No Game

Men’s 2nds (1) vs. (6) Sheffield 4ths
Slazenger 2nds travelled to Sheffield looking to bounce back from a couple of lack lustre results. However, it wasn’t to be with the hosts running out comprehensive winners.

Sheffield took the early initiative with a pair of well taken goals, before a trademark Richard Tuddenham strike pulled the team back into contention. However, when Slazenger capitalised on the goal to score a second, which was disallowed, the team struggled to maintain the momentum.

Sheffield with the wind in their sales scored further goals, with the visitors unable to find a rhythm or the killer spark. Slazenger 2nds will look to put the early games to bed when they hosted Chesterfield next week.

Men’s 3rd’s (2) vs (3) City of York 5th’s
Slazenger men’s 3’s travelled to York hoping to improve on last weeks result against Hull.

The visitors started well playing the ball confidently around at the back and then using the pace of Seth Hoole and Jack Sanderson out wide to put them in opposition territory. A break against the run of play saw York take the lead, however the Addingford side kept playing with Dan Bailey, who had found his stick and Adrian Buckley winning vital possession and setting the Slaz attacking press. After 20 minutes, a well worked short corner routine saw Tim Carr fire the ball high into the York net, meaning the two sides went in on equal terms at half time.

The second half was much like the first, with both teams trading attacks which kept keeper Daz Buttery busy as he pulled off some astounding saves. However, 10 minutes into the half the home side again took the lead as a loose ball was eventually put away. Undeterred, Will Carr and Owen Wiper linked up well as the half progress and the energy and running of Ali Smith put the York defence under pressure. A series of short corners finally paid off as Harry Ashford fired the ball home to level the scores once again. In an evenly matched game it was York who took the lead with 10 minutes to go as a hopeful ball across the D took a deflection off a Slaz stick and into the backboard.

The team in green pushed for a late equaliser but just couldn’t create that clear opportunity. The 3’s are aiming to avenge this 3-2 defeat when they play Leeds Adel at home next Saturday.

Men’s 4th’s (7) vs. (2) Chesterfield 4th’s
The men’s 4s who were seeking back to back wins hosted chesterfield 4s this weekend. A slow start saw Slazengers concede first early on this however woke the hosts up as they begun to dominate from this point onwards and equalised just 6 minutes later through John Sykes. Sykes netted a second goal just minutes later to give the hosts the lead which was extended to 3 less than a minute, through Roo Birkett to leave the score 3-1 at half-time.

Slaz continued the second half how they finished the first with 2 more quick goals early in the half (Birkett grabbing a second, and Sykes finishing his hat-trick). The visitors then caught the slaz defence sleeping and managed a second goal but this was not enough as hosts retaliated with 2 further goals (Birkett’s hat trick 3rd, and one for James Rawling), before the final whistle could end the dominant Slazenger display. A double hat-trick weekend, with the final score 7-2 to Slaz.

Development (1) vs. (1) Lindum
The Devs embarked on their first away adventure of the season, bravely travelling beyond the sacred borders of Yorkshire into the wilds of Lindum. Spirits were high, temperaments questionable, and the pizza prospects strong. From the first whistle, Slaz came out swinging — earning an early short corner which they could not convert. Then…glorious history was made! Cerys, in her first-ever league game, received a through ball from Izzy, calmly glided into the D like she’d been doing it for years, and slotted it home for 1–0. Cool. Composed. Clinical.

Meanwhile, GK Ami spent most of the first half resting, thanks to Slaz holding 95% possession. At the back, Katie shut down Lindum’s attacks linking well with Izzy and Cerys down the right — a super trio! Four consecutive short corners followed without converting. Despite not feeling well herself, Georgie battled on and got herself into some great positions. Half time: 1–0. Glorious team chat full of positivity!

The second half saw Adelaide and Amelia continue to boss centre midfield, while Matthew launched into some jab tackles so sharp they required a safety warning! Noah was unfazed by tackling fully grown adults. Lindum eventually clawed back an equaliser late in the second half, despite Slaz throwing bodies and sticks in defence. For the fourth week in a row, the prestigious Donut of the Day goes to…Adelaide! However — in an unprecedented twist — this week’s donut may need to be shared with her Dad, who served as Chief Chauffeur, Logistics Manager, and Human Sat Nav for the cross-border expedition. Outstanding effort. Brilliant teamwork. Happy now we are all safely back in Yorkshire 💚

🏅 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
A truly standout debut — Cerys claims Player of the Match! Goal scorer, cool-headed finisher, and future club legend in the making. Take a bow!

🍕 TEA RATING: 9/10
Pizza, chips, and birthday cake galore for Amelia & Matthew! If only goals were awarded for cakes!

Some excellent saves from goalkeeper George Hutchinson kept Slazengers in the game. The team responded well, with Owen Wiper causing problems down the right wing and intercepting free hits that led to attacking opportunities. At 15 minutes, Owen Coughtrey drove into the D and fired just wide, while Ally Smith’s deceptive ball into the circle created another chance. Despite Slazengers’ growing momentum, Sheffield’s deep defensive setup limited space and looked to counter on the break. Ally appeared to have scored, but the goal was disallowed due to a Slazenger foot in the build-up.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Aleks Thompson opened the scoring with a superb reverse hit following an excellent pass from Evan Tuddenham. A green card followed shortly after for a Sheffield player not retreating five yards. Slazenger defended a Sheffield short corner well at 32 minutes, preserving their lead into halftime. During the break, the coaching team emphasised the importance of communication and cohesion.

Slazengers started the second half strongly, with Aleks nearly doubling the lead after controlling the ball and chipping the keeper, only to see his effort crash off the crossbar. Sustained pressure followed, and at 44 minutes, Olly Tuddenham chased down a ball near the sideline, keeping it in play and creating a great chance. At 50 minutes, Seth Hoole intercepted a stray Sheffield pass and delivered a clever reverse pass to Aleks, who scored on the second attempt after the keeper saved the first. Sheffield’s frustrations grew, resulting in a yellow card at 55 minutes for dissent following a tackle.

Will Carr played a brilliant ball into the D at 60 minutes, but it couldn’t be converted. A green card for Owen C followed, but Slazengers remained composed. One minute later, Olly T’s tenacity down the wing led to a pass to Aleks, who calmly slipped the ball past the keeper for his hat-trick.

Slazengers continued to press, with Olly delivering a drag pass to the far post that narrowly missed being turned in. In the closing stages, the defensive trio of Isaac Rawling, Jack Sanderson and Harry Firth were called into action as Sheffield pushed for a consolation goal. However, Slazengers held firm, and the Sheffield keeper made several good saves to keep the score at 3–0.
A big thank you to the umpires, coaches, and parents for their continued support.

Girls U14s (4) vs. (0) Leeds Adel

🎁 Goal #1 – The Party Starter: Jess made a cracking tackle, slipped the ball to Sophie who sprinted down the line and delivered the perfect assist to Izzy — who calmly slotted it home. 1-0! Despite countless chances, Adel’s GK was in determined party-pooper mode, pulling off some great saves. Ruth worked tirelessly, chasing everything down like someone had whispered “last slice of dessert.” GK Ami barely had anything to do, but when called upon, cleared the danger with ease. Ella made her mark as she subbed on in midfield, pressuring the opposition.

🍬 Half-Time Treats: Sweets — essential halftime fuel.

🎂 Second Half – Birthday Girl Magic:
Some slick passing between Amelia and Adelaide saw Amelia break into the D and fire into the bottom corner — a birthday goal to remember! Jess and Izzy kept things ticking in midfield, Sophie added her name to the score sheet, and the defensive wall of Matilda, Beth, Lorna, and Katie stayed rock solid all game. 🎯 Amelia sent a quick ball to Ruth, who spun and smashed in to make it 4-0.

Beth and Matilda, pushed up the pitch with new found confidence which was a joy to watch. Darcie and Georgie burst onto the pitch again full of energy — with Darcie earning a short corner, then following it up with her first-ever U14 goal after a cross from Adelaide! Ruth wasn’t finished — she added her second to seal a brilliant 6-0 win.

• Opposition Player of the Match: Ruth – she worked tirelessly all game, and scored two goals!
• Team Player of the Match: Sophie – despite having not played a match for two years, she fitted back into the team like she’d never been away!
• 🍩 Donut of the Day: Lorna — for scoring a cracking goal… sadly from outside the D. Lovely finish though!


Post-match birthday cake 🎂 Huge thanks to Aleks and Aidy for umpiring — and to the girls for putting on a performance as sweet as the celebrations that followed! So proud of these wonderful girls 💚

Slaz vs Barnsley (2-0)
A quick start for Slaz with Noah pouncing on a slow push back with good interplay with Trysten leading to a short corner. Slaz kept on the pressure with Alistair on the right and Matthew in the D had their shots saved. Trysten, Alistair and Matthew linked well. A good 16 pass from Harry found Noah in the middle who skilfully attacked the D with Matthew finding the goal. Barnsley played some nice passes but couldn’t break through the Slaz defence with Zach, Harry and Nikolai keeping the attacks out. Noah took a quick free hit and had a shot from the top of the D to make it 2 nil. Trysten made a great stop in the corner to keep Barnsley out. The boys worked hard for each other with Harry making a crucial tackle to stop the attacks and setting Slaz on the break with Alistair and Caleb winning a short corner. Unfortunately the shot from Noah hit the post and deflected wide. Barnsley only had a big hit to relieve pressure but it just meant Slaz could come back in the attack and create chances but Slaz couldn’t increase their lead.

Wakefield vs Slaz (1-2)
Slaz made another quick start with Alistair and Noah creating an early chance. Wakefield broke well with good tracking by Noah, with Harry and Zach clearing the lines. Nikolai made a good save but the follow up was put in by Wakefield to give them the lead. Slaz had some good possession but couldn’t make the passes count but after a good tackle by Harry sent the ball forward to Alistair who drove into the D and won a short corner. The SC was saved but the follow up attack saw Alistair find the bottom corner with a tomahawk strike. Trysten and Noah worked tirelessly for the team making good tackles to stop Wakefield’s advances. Slaz kept the pressure on making chance after chance but the Wakefield defence and GK kept them out until Slaz won another short corner and Noah converted with a well struck shot and to take the lead. Caleb and Zach held strong at the back with some big tackles keeping Wakefield out. Lots of effort from all turned the game around which gave them a well deserved win against rivals Wakefield.

Slaz vs Hull (5-0)
Slaz were straight out of the blocks and with a great drive down the left from Trysten, followed up by Matthew and Alistair who squared it to Noah to take the shot and put Slaz 1 up. Slaz played some lovely passes with Alistair recycling the ball back to Harry who drove into space and slipped the ball to Noah in the D and he doubled the Slaz lead. Slaz kept the pressure on Hull, lots of hard work by Matthew and midfield of Caleb, Noah and Alistair. Harry and Zach controlled the defence keeping Hull out with Nikolai very quiet in goal. Harry and Caleb linked up well creating a good chance for Matthew but hull kept it out.
Noah now in defence picked the ball up at the top of his D from a pass from Zach. He showed his class and skill by going fully length and finding the goal for his hat-trick. Jude making his debut got stuck in and made some great runs and passes. Caleb made a great tackle at the top of the D and set the boys away with Matthew finishing off a well worked team goal. The boys kept working hard and with a good run on the left by Jude, found Alistair in the D who rounded the GK and finished well on the final whistle to round off a comprehensive win and a great team performance.

Sheffield vs Slaz (3-0)
A tough final game against a strong Sheffield team, Slaz made a strong start with Noah, Alistair and Matthew causing the Sheffield defence problems. Good passing created chances but they could not convert. Sheffield broke well and created a good chance which was slipped past Nikolai to give them the lead. Trysten, Zach and Harry kept Sheffield out with Nikolai making a couple of great body save clears by Zach. Sheffield kept coming and made it 2 with a well worked goal.

Slaz kept their heads up and worked hard to try get back into the game. Alistair always posed a threat on the right with Jude on the left in good positions. Nikolai made a great save after great save to keep Slaz in the game. The boys worked hard for each other and did not let their heads drop. Sheffield kept coming and won a short corner, but was charged down well by Noah and Alistair to keep it out. The follow up shot by Sheffield was powerful and found the net. Slaz kept the pressure on with more attacks but the Sheffield team was well organised and kept them out. It was Sheffield who finished stronger with several short corners but Slaz defended them well and kept the ball out.

Lots of effort from all the boys, showed great team spirit and with 3 wins, only 1 loss shows brilliant promise for the season ahead. Special mention to Caleb and Jude making their Slazenger Hockey Club debuts.🌟 Player of the tournament went to Trysten for his the skill and determination he showed throughout the tournament 🌟

Girls U12 A team Tournament Report
The first u12 tournament of the season for our Slazengers U12A Girls team, and they came out fighting!

Game 1 – vs York 1 (0–3 loss)
A tough start against a strong York side. The girls showed determination from the outset, making strong tackles and pushing forward in attack. Frances was outstanding in goal, making several crucial saves, but York used the space well and managed to slip three goals past us. Despite battling hard, we struggled to break through their solid defense to convert our chances.

Game 2 – vs York 2 (2–0 win); Scorers: Katie (1), Ella (1)
Now warmed up and listening brilliantly to feedback, the girls came out looking like a completely different team! Matilda and Florence were rock solid in defense, marking tightly and keeping York pinned back. The ball was worked wide through the wings, opening up space in the D. Darcie and Georgie pressed tirelessly, forcing mistakes and keeping us in attack. Our breakthrough came when Katie drove strongly down the line and swept the ball powerfully into the back of the net. A well-drilled short corner saw Darcie’s strike saved, but Ella reacted quickly on the rebound to score our second goal. A superb all-round performance.

Game 3 – vs Leeds (4–0 win) Scorers: Darcie (3), Georgie (1)
Confidence was flowing, and the girls carried their momentum into the next game. Tackling strongly and winning the ball high up the pitch, they kept constant pressure on Leeds. Florence pushed further forward into midfield, finding great pockets of space and feeding the ball into the D. After several rebounds and scrappy chances, Georgie’s persistence paid off as she netted her first of the tournament. Darcie was relentless throughout, driving forward and pressing Leeds back, earning herself a fantastic hat trick. A dominant performance!

Game 4 – vs Doncaster (0–0 draw)
The final match was another test against a strong Doncaster side. Unfortunately, we lost Madison to injury during the warm-up, leaving the girls with no subs and tired legs. Even so, every player gave absolutely everything. The defense stood tall, tackles kept flying in, and Frances was superb once again with a string of excellent saves to ensure a hard-earned clean sheet. A gritty and determined team effort.

The girls showed huge progress throughout the day – working hard, listening to feedback, and playing as a team. Their energy, resilience, and improvement with every game was fantastic to see. Player of the Tournament was awarded to Georgie, who showed real grit in her tackles, endless work rate, and commitment to both attack and defense. A big thank you to our wonderful parents for their support, and a special mention to Mark for umpiring.

The first match was a 4-0 win over a young Huddersfield side with goals from Cerys (1x) & Grace (3x) all from open play, with very little for our defence or goalkeeper to do.

The second was a closer match against Halifax which Slaz won 1-0. Halifax could’ve won the game but a mixture of missing chances & saves from Lydia meant Slaz kept a clean sheet.

The next 3 matches were goalless draws against Wakefield 2, Ben Rhydding 2 & Ben Rhydding 3. All were close games where either side had chances.

Slaz worked hard for each other & ran their socks off. Plucky defending from Bridgett & Penny along with Lydia in goal meant we didn’t concede, Penny also pushed up when required to help out midfield. Cerys who played mainly on the wings was a constant threat and was skilful with the ball & creating some chances. New players all shone with 4 goals for Grace who was always an outlet upfront. Tilly played on the wings, was solid but quiet to start with & grew in confidence throughout each game & was always an outlet but wasn’t afraid to work back & tackle too. Although only 8 Edward was fearless & wasn’t put off by some opponents being nearly twice his height & played well on the wings where he dribbled & crossed & in defence where he made some good tackles. Maia put in a fantastic effort playing mainly in centre midfield pushing forward but also coming back to defend, earning herself player of the tournament.