Hockey: they’re league champs and Marlborough ladies keep on winning – just

Bristol University  Seconds 4      Marlborough Firsts   5

Despite winning the league with two games in hand, Marlborough did not want to drop points at this late stage of the campaign.  

Bristol Uni started the game full of purpose and pressed hard, taking their opportunities when the chinks in Marlborough’s defence were exposed, resulting in a two goal lead.  

This rattled Marlborough, as usually the boot is on the other foot.  That said they were not going to give up without a fight and the forwards continued to test Bristol Uni’s defence and keeper.  But Marlborough seemed unable to convert their opportunities.  

Thankfully Alex Crosby Jones found her mojo and weaved her way through to place the ball into the top right of the opposition’s goal.  Bristol Uni replied with a third goal, leaving the league winners two goals down at half time.  
 
Marlborough had to up their game, otherwise their unbeaten second half of the season record was in jeopardy.  And they finally started to get their act together with some passages of play from the backs to midfields and finally found Kate Batty up front: Marlborough converted with a tight angled goal to make it 3-2.  

Alex Crosby Jones followed with a deftly placed goal to make it level at three goals apiece.  

Marlborough seemed to be back in control, as Kate Batty put away another. Unfortunately Bristol Uni were not going to lie down and responded with a ‘top of the net’ goal to even the score once more.  

With only seconds left to play, a fantastic ‘missile’ sent by Clare Griffiths from the defensive 25 to attacking the 25 was picked up by Alex Crosby Jones, she side stepped the defence to again place the ball into the top of the opposition’s goal to give a final score of 5-4 in Marlborough’s favour.  It was, as the captain said, “A close shave!”

There is one league game left in the season and next Saturday Marlborough will be at home to Cheltenham CS – who are one from bottom in the North Division of the South West Women’s Hockey League.

For the statisticians it is worth noting that during the season Marlborough have so far scored 106 goals.  The team currently seven points behind them in second place in the table is Jaspers – and their goal tally so far is 61.
 
TH White player of the match last week was Rachel Cox