Ladies County Match Reports

County Ladies at Midlands Zone Final County Championships 2005

On Saturday 30 April, the Shropshire ladies hockey squad and their coach Mark Groves made the long trip to Oxford to compete in the Midlands Zone of the national competition. On a very warm day, the ladies started on a positive note against Combined Services with an early goal by Lucy Ratcliffe following a great pass from Zoe Mortimer. This certainly woke up the Combined Services team who then threw attack after attack at the Shropshire defence but some timely saves from Sarah Ralphs and tackles from Sarah Field gave Shropshire the edge at half time. Combined Services pulled a goal back following a defensive error but once again Shropshire attacked with Ratcliffe and Nic Hinton running their socks off up front. A well timed run from a Services attacker gave the Shropshire team little chance and the match finished 2-1 to Combined Services. 

Following some time to reflect on the positive start from Shropshire, they then took on Oxfordshire. Five minutes into the game Sarah Lewis set up Meg Ballment who slammed the ball against the back board. Oxon retailitated only to see their effort ping off one goal post onto the other and away! Cheryl Lawson was always in the right space at the right time to make consistent tackles and then redistribute the ball up the pitch to feed the forwards. With Hinton chasing what seemed to be a dead ball, she pulled it back into play for Ratcliffe to sweep under the diving keeper. With Shropshire 2-0 up at half time it was certainly game on. Oxon game back with some strong play against the Shropshire defence, the ever consistent Lyn Murphy and Jenny Cullen contained some of the play in midfield but Oxon were desperate to score and they managed to pull one back. They continued to press but some excellant jab tackles from Sarah Gaskill scuppered their chances and with Ralphs on top form they had no chance. The game finished 2-1 in Shropshires favour. 

They were then back on the pitch with no rest to face a refreshed Northamptonshire who, having lost 4-2 to Combined Services, had something to prove. Shropshire once again started positively and a brave run from Ratcliffe was brought down by the keeper giving Shropshire a flick but they were unable to convert it. A series of dubious umpiring decisions gifted Northants two goals and a defensive error a third. Following a rousing half time talk from coach Mark Groves, Shropshire lifted their game and dug deep to fight back. Great persistence from Emily Davies played Ratcliffe in who linked with Ballment and Helen Davies guided the ball into the net. With Shropshire continuing to press, they certainly regained their composure and had the upper hand but the match was to finish 3-1 in favour of Northants. 

The team finished a close third but with some positive hockey produced on the day and a fantastic team spirit they can be proud of what has been achieved. Sarah Gaskill manager said 'We played some great hockey on the day in very hot temperatures. It was a great squad effort where everyone pulled together. With some fantastic saves from Sarah Raplhs, timely tackles from Cheyl Lawson, great positional play from Sarah Fields and Lucy Ratcliffe and Nic Hinton running their socks off - there was some great hockey on display. We certainly aquitted ourselves well against some quality opposition.'

The squad consists of Nicky Hinton (Bridgnorth), Jenny Cullen, Emily Davies (both Ludlow), Helen Davies, Lynn Murphy, Cheryl Lawson, Zoe Mortimer, Sarah Ralphs, Meg Ballment (all Shrewsbury), Sarah Lewis, Lucy Ratcliffe, Sarah Field, Caroline Wynn (all Whitchurch), Anwen Pugh, Debbie Hampson and Sarah Gaskill (all Oswestry).

Here's a photo of the squad and some short corner and goal mouth action.