Hockey 1sts win 2nd promotion

THORNBURY Hockey Club's ladies 1st team have ended their league season unbeaten, and promoted for the second year running.

Their final game against Hanham on April 1 resulted in a 6-0 win, to take the seasons goals-for total to 140.

Coz Deas and Connie Talbot each scored twice, with Esther Jenkinson and captain Jo Deas scoring the other goals.

The team will now be promoted for the second successive season, the only difference being that they are promoted as division champions.

The newly-formed men’s side ended their season on the same day with a 3-3 draw at North Somerset 3rds, with Tiger SherredIsles, David Anderson and Paul Hibberd the scorers.

Thornbury Ladies will celebrate 60 years in two years' time, so the development of the club's under-14 side will be paramount to its continued success.

The young team, referred to as the Harriers, includes a number of girls who were new to hockey.

The season ended with a convincing 13-3 victory against Cirencester.

The team have been supported throughout the season by Alice Atkinson, Esther Jenkinson and Lottie Webster, who have helped with both coaching and umpiring.

Goals in the final match were scored by Beth Eddis, Emily Board and Rhada Godpole, with both Alice and Esther also getting on the scoresheet.

The team had a strong back three in Rowan Bennett, Zoe Ashfield and Beth Hunt, while Matty Evans contributed to the build-up in a number of the goals and Evie Blackham, Amelia Fitzgerald and Izzi Ormond made numerous tackles to deny the opposition.

There were also useful contributions to the team’s performance from Amalie Hopkins, Daisy Lambert-Mardon, Indigo NutbrownHughes, Jenny and Erin Richards and Niamh Robinson.

The future looks bright, should the players continue to develop at the club.

Thornbury will take part in the summer league organised by South Gloucestershire Hockey Club at Bradley Stoke School, while the men’s team will play in a Bristol league.

Their home games will be at Castle School.

Thornbury's mixed league will commence later in the summer.

The club's presentation evening will be at Thornbury Rugby Club on May 20.

David Parry-Jones