Men’s 1st’s (5) vs. (1) Driffield 1st’s
📋 Umpires: Trevor Armitage, Steve Wood
On the back of a disappointing result against Boston Spa, Slaz Men’s 1s hosted Driffield with hopes of getting the season back on track heading into the final few games of the year. Slaz started strong, building a number of good attacks and taking a 2-0 lead into half-time, with goals from Emmett Fearn and Danny Perry.
In the second half, Slaz built on this pressure and got the all important third goal, effectively putting the game to bed. Further pressure came from Slaz, who built a convincing 6-0 lead through a couple of fortuitous breaks. Unfortunately, a lack of control of the game in the final
passages from goalkeeper Andy Loftus saw him losing his clean sheet as the final score read 6-1 to Slazenger.
Tougher tests will arise in weeks to come, but this was a professional performance from Slazenger and a deserved win.
Men’s 2nd’s (2) vs. (1) Brigg 2nd’s
The 2nds continued their greatly anticipated tour of the most distant hockey pitches in Lincolnshire, this week dropping by Brigg to inspect their facilities. While slightly closer than last weeks Horncastle, it was nonetheless another decent journey and so was important the team came away with a win. The team were slightly understrength due to the long league campaign taking a toll on the more geriatric members of the team. However, Owen Wiper and Jez Whawell ably stepped up to the 2nds to plug the gaps.
The game was physical from the off. While hockey is a non-contact sport, these rules get increasingly more relaxed the further you travel east… or so it appeared. Brigg were industrious on the ball and agricultural off it. Slaz worked hard to counter this, moving the ball around quickly. However, an experienced Brigg midfield made it challenging to break through and for much of the first half, there were no chances coming. Unfortunately, at the other end, Brigg counter attacked, found a gap and took full advantage of it to take the lead.
As with last week though, Slazenger were not going to lay down, especially when this was 4th vs 5th and every point counts! The team continued to work hard, and over time gained the upper hand. The work-rate created opportunities, leading to Richard Tuddenham netted an equaliser after good build-up play from Ben Graham. Slazenger were the more productive team as the game went on, creating better opportunities. Ste Robert, Adam Drake and Will Buckley mopped up well to keep Brigg out and up top, Man of the Match Owen Wiper impressed on his debut.
Slazenger stayed composed as the game drew on, and it was Ben Graham who created the opportunity for Tuddenham to force his way through the defence and net a second.
Slazenger look to carry this work rate into next weeks game against Chesterfield.
Men’s 3rd’s (2) vs. (7) Kingston Upon Hull 3rd’s
📋 Umpires: Mark Swinden, Ben Stevenson
Batten down the hatches and gather round, ye faithful followers of the good ship Slazenger, for this be the tale of a fierce encounter with the seaborne raiders from Kingston upon Hull. Though the final ledger shows an 8–2 raid in favour of the visitors, the battle was far from the one-sided plunder the score may suggest. On home turf, the Slazenger crew took to the field with cutlasses sharpened and cannons primed. Guarding the treasure chest stood Sammy, nimble and sharp-eyed between the posts.
Before him, the defensive galleon of Simon, Dodge, Harry, and Josh formed a stout hull, repelling early Hull raids with brave blocks and fearless tackles. Each clearance was thumped upfield like a cannonball fired across the bow. In the engine room, Dan, Aidy, and Jack toiled like seasoned deckhands, winning possession and spreading play wide to the fleet-footed wingers Will, Seth, and Ryan, who marauded down the flanks with salt in their veins.
Up top, Tim, Trevor, and Scott pressed high and hunted in packs. And it was the ruthless buccaneer Trevor who twice struck gold. First, he pounced upon a loose ball in the circle and buried it with pirate precision. Then, after slick build-up play, he doubled his bounty with a clinical finish past the Hull keeper. At 3–2 by halftime, it was a contest balanced on a knife’s edge. Blow for blow. Cannon for cannon. Not an inch of deck given lightly.
Alas, as many a sailor knows, the sea can change without warning. Hull returned from the break with the wind in their sails and began to press with relentless waves of attack. Despite the backline’s brave resistance and tireless tracking from the midfield, the visitors found gaps and exploited them with ruthless efficiency. Yet through the storm stood one man unwavering. Sammy.
Time and again he flung himself full stretch, parrying shots, blocking one-on-ones, and smothering rebounds. Without his heroics, the scoreline may have told an even darker tale. His saves were not mere stops — they were acts of defiance against the rising tide. Despite Slazenger’s continued fight and Trevor’s earlier plunder, Hull’s finishing proved decisive as they extended their lead before the final whistle signalled the end of battle.
Sammy claims the captain’s hat this week. A wall, a warrior, a one-man breakwater against the storm. Eight may have passed him, but twice as many were denied by courage and cat-like reflexes. Though the result stings like salt in a fresh wound, the first half showed Slazenger 3s can trade fire with any crew in the waters. With steadier sails and sharper focus after the break, future voyages shall surely yield richer treasure.
Until the next battle, keep yer sticks ready and yer spirits high.
Men’s 4th’s (1) vs. (2) Sheffield University Bankers 6th’s
Slazenger 4s made the trip to face Sheffield Bankers 6, knowing a fast start would be crucial on a tricky surface. Unfortunately, it was the hosts who came flying out of the blocks. Sheffield struck in just the 3rd minute from a well-worked short corner. A sharp injection and clean strike from the top of the D leaving the Slazenger keeper with little chance and putting the home side 1–0 up before Slazenger had settled.
To their credit, Slazenger responded well. The midfield began to link play effectively, with patient passing down the right creating early half-chances. The defence tightened up after the early setback, cutting out Sheffield’s aerial balls and stepping strongly into tackles. Despite the improved control, Sheffield doubled their lead in the 20th minute. A turnover in midfield allowed the Bankers to counter quickly, and a neat move through the centre was finished calmly from open play to make it 2–0.
Rather than letting heads drop, Slazenger showed real character. Just five minutes later, they pulled a goal back. Sustained pressure forced errors in the Sheffield circle, and after a scramble in front of goal, a composed finish from close range found the backboard in the 25th minute. At 2–1, Slazenger were right back in it.
The remainder of the half saw Slazenger push hard for an equaliser, winning territory and moving the ball with increasing confidence. Although further chances didn’t quite convert, the response after conceding twice was full of fight and determination. Despite the early setback and Sheffield’s clinical finishing, Slazenger can take positives from the resilience shown and the quality of their attacking play. With that spirit, there’s plenty to build on for the next fixture.
Ladies 1st’s (0) vs. (7) Driffield 1st’s
Slaz made the trip to Driffield this weekend, starting the day in entertaining fashion when one player improvised their red kit with a vintage T-shirt and distinctive sock combination! The team began well, with Emma and Eliz commanding at centre back. Millie and Alys worked tirelessly up front, pressing and creating space. Driffield earned the first short corner, but Ami made a solid save and the defence cleared the danger. Slaz responded well, with Coops winning a short corner and Emma narrowly missing the target.
Zoe worked hard in both attah and defence, leading the team well. Frankie and Amelia combined effectively on the right wing, while Marissa and Bella defended strongly throughout the half. Driffield managed to take the lead just before half-time from a short corner. After a quick refuel (jelly babies included!), Slaz continued to battle against a strong home side in the second half. Lucy and Becca kept running hard in midfield. Although the final score finished 7–0, there were clear positives in teamwork, effort and resilience. With Driffield likely to be in promoted, this could well be our last trip there for a while — and we wish them well for the remainder of their season.
Plenty to take forward as we look ahead to the next fixture – preferably nearer a Costa!
Ladies 2nd’s (2) vs. (4) Kingston Upon Hull 2nd’s
Slazenger travelled to Hull for a tough away fixture and showed plenty of determination despite a challenging result.
Hull opened the scoring, but Slaz responded well with Lou finding the net from open play to level things up. Jess made her debut and immediately impressed, fitting in effortlessly and showing great resilience throughout. Ella then struck from a short corner with a powerful shot on goal to put Slaz ahead. At half time, Slaz held a 2–1 lead, although a late flick just before the break went narrowly off target.
The second half proved more difficult as Slaz lost some structure. Hull capitalised with strong runs and pulled themselves back into the game. Both sides had flicks that missed the target, but Hull continued to apply pressure. They went on to score three more goals from short corners and open play, securing a 4–2 victory at the final whistle.
Ladies 3rd’s (4) vs. (1) Batley 1st’s
📋 Umpires: Simon Taylor, Trevor Armitage
Slazengers Ladies 3’s welcomed Batley Hockey Club and from the first whistle it was clear the hosts meant business. Slazengers immediately attacked with Caro Scofield and Ellie Page linking up beautifully and feeding off each other through the attacking half. Page delivered the ball into the D and Scofield met it sweetly on the volley, firing Slazengers into a well-deserved 1–0 lead in the first minute.
The home side continued to dominate. It wasn’t long before Page once again turned provider, slipping the ball across goal where Scofield, perfectly positioned at the back post, calmly slotted home to make it 2–0. Across the midfield Slazengers were in control, consistently winning the battle and dictating play. Sian Glover was everywhere, giving Batley no time or space on the ball, while Evie Mollart, stepping up to cover absences in midfield, put in a superb shift and kept the tempo high. Slazengers created chance after chance, with efforts rattling the posts and narrowly missing the target — unlucky not to head into half time with an even greater advantage.
The second half followed much the same pattern, Slazengers piling on the pressure. Stacey Drake struck a short corner cleanly, only for the Batley goalkeeper to pull off a sharp save. However, the breakthrough soon came again. In a goalmouth scramble, Scofield reacted quickest to poke the ball home and complete her hat trick. The Scofield–Page partnership proved formidable all morning. Page drove fearlessly up the pitch, beating defenders with pace and skill. After cutting back inside with confidence, she unleashed a powerful strike to make it 4–0 and cap off a dominant display.
Now… for reasons still under investigation (and possibly requiring a tactical debrief, a compass, and a quick reminder of which way we were actually shooting), Scofield decided in the final two minutes to try her hand at defending. Having wandered back a little too enthusiastically, she managed an impressively precise deflection that completely wrong-footed the unfortunate Slazengers goalkeeper Lauren Hattesley. Clinical finish. Textbook technique. Just… at the wrong end. Scofield secured her fourth goal of the afternoon — generously spreading the scoring across both teams.
The match finished 4–1 after a strong all-round team performance. Player of the Match was deservedly awarded to Caro Scofield for her hat trick (in the correct goal).
Ladies 4th’s (1) vs. (3) Cleckheaton 1st’s
Slazenger started strong with Toni intercepting passes in the middle of the pitch, moving the ball through the field with ease and distributing out wide. Julie and Mandy linked up well down the right wing, with both meeting the ball, picking up loose passes and leading the attack. On the left Phoebe had one of her best games of the season, playing with confidence she fought for every ball and distributed it beautifully!
In defence we welcomed back Sarah Paveley who was a composed as always. Poppy and Sophie DB came out to thwart the Cleckheaton attacks (which felt relentless at times), making some crucial tackles and powerful clearances.
On the left Phoebe had one of her best games of the season, playing with confidence she fought for every ball and distributed it beautifully! The first half was end to end hockey, both teams had their chances to take the lead but GK Tracy kept Slaz in the game with some awesome saves!
Cleckheaton came out firing in the second half and it wasn’t long before they had got the ball round the Slaz defence and were rewarded with the first goal of the game. Slazenger recomposed but struggled with the pace and physical strength Cleckheaton were coming at them with. Cleckheaton managed to secure themselves a further 2 goals in short succession. Finally, Slaz managed to break through the Cleckheaton defence with Gemma managing to get the ball over the line (just) with the final touch of the game.
Mixed (3) vs. (1) Pudsey Mixed
Slaz Mixed Team hosted Pudsey knowing that a positive result would take them into the latter stages of the competition once again. Slaz built pressure early on through a number of positive moves, but struggled to put their chances away, largely as Isaac Fisher decided to miss 7 reverse stick shots in an increasingly embarrassing fashion.
Thankfully, a strong half from the forward line meant that Slaz kept creating further chances and winning short corners like the one that Frankie Tyrrell put away coolly. Once the deadlock was broken, Jordan Ingham won a deserved penalty flick that Asad Baig almost put away at the first time of asking.
Slaz went into half-time at 2-0, looking good but knowing the third goal was all important. Fortunately, courtesy of Ben Jackson, a gilt-edged chance fell to Isaac Fisher (previously of reverse stick embarrassment fame) who managed to miss the same chance under no pressure in a way that has been described as “Ingham-esque”, before eventually tapping it in. The 3-0 lead gave Slaz a good cushion and ensured that a breakaway Pudsey goal didn’t cause them too much trouble.
Slaz’s performance was littered with great individual effort all across the pitch, but Ailish Hendry, Ben Stevenson, Mark Swinden (and his tan), Emma Williams and a near-faultless Adam Fall were all strong contenders for player of the match. Despite this, Marissa Allott deservedly took the award after playing a number of great passes and displaying reliability and composed consistency all game long.
U14 Girls Reach Semi-Finals
Cheshire played host to a fantastic afternoon of hockey as our U14 girls travelled from Yorkshire to face Chester Hockey Club in the England Hockey Championships Plate Final 8. On a big stage, the girls delivered a performance full of heart, resilience and teamwork to secure a superb victory and book their place in the semi-finals.
With regular defender Lorna unavailable, Beth stepped seamlessly into the back line alongside Tilda and Katie, forming a composed and determined defensive unit from the first whistle. Behind them, goalkeeper Ami commanded her area confidently throughout.
Chester opened the scoring in a fast-paced first half, but the response from Slaz was immediate and impressive. Midfielders Amelia and Adelaide worked tirelessly to regain control, linking play and driving the team forward. Their efforts paid off when Edie calmly finished after a perfectly timed through ball from Amelia to level the score at 1–1. Lauren and Izzy provided energy and width on the wings, while Jess, Ruth and Edie continually tested a strong Chester defence. Despite numerous chances, Chester’s goalkeeper produced a string of excellent saves to keep the contest finely balanced.
Chester regained the lead, but once again the girls showed their determination. Edie struck for her second of the game to draw the sides level heading into half-time. The second half saw Slaz raise the intensity even further. Attack after attack put Chester under pressure, with Darcie adding fresh pace to the forward line and Georgie defending resolutely after coming on at the back. Short corners, free hits and open play chances followed, but the breakthrough proved elusive.
With under ten minutes remaining, Ruth found space in the circle and coolly slotted home to give Slaz the lead for the first time in the match. The final moments were tense, particularly when Chester were awarded a short corner with the last play of the game. However, Ami organised her defence superbly and Tilda made a brave charge to clear the danger and secure a memorable victory. Tilda was deservedly named Player of the Match for her outstanding defensive display and crucial final clearance.
The team would like to thank Chester for their warm hospitality after a highly competitive and sporting contest, and extend appreciation to Aidy for officiating. Every player contributed to a performance defined by courage, teamwork and unwavering spirit. The girls now look ahead with excitement as their semi-final place awaits.
Full-time: Slaz U14s progress to the Semi-Finals.
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