HOCKEY: Swindon slip up at Hereford (From This Is Wiltshire)

SWINDON pulled level twice at Hereford in Premier Division 2A of the West Clubs Women’s Hockey League, but ended up losing 4-2.

After travelling for two hours, Swindon were slow to get into the game and they went a goal down after a good strike beat keeper Sarah Anstey.

However, the visitors equalised soon after when a tackle by Gemma Richards on a defender saw the ball directed into the back of the net.

After five short corners in a row, Hereford went in front again with half time closing in.

Following the resumption Swindon levelled once again, this time from a short corner. Almost all the attacking players touched the ball before captain Vicki Stokes tapped in at the post.

However, Hereford hit back to score from open play and in the dying minutes a home player smashed into the roof of the net from a short corner.

Nicci Foster was player of the match for the third week in a row as she remained composed under pressure and distributed the ball well Elsewhere, Swindon 2nds beat Melksham 2nds 3-0 in Wessex Division 2, with the goals coming from Sue Roberts (2) and Sadie Tummon. Midfielder Ellie Symonds was player of the match.

In Wessex Division 1, North Wilts suffered their first league defeat of the season, losing 8-2 at home to City of Bath 2nds.

The young hosting side conceded within the first 10 minutes, but their battling efforts were rewarded with a superb strike into the bottom corner by Leanne Sear.

However, City of Bath replied in ruthless fashion as they scored a further three goals before half time.

North Wilts’ determination after the restart resulted in a much-deserved goal, scored by Maddie Wojtowicz.

After that City of Bath showed their class and four further goals ensured an emphatic victory for the visitors.

Wootton Bassett’s search for a victory in North Division is still ongoing after they lost 2-0 at home to Yate.

North Wilts Ladies 2nds found the going tough as they lost 4-0 at home to Wotton-under-Edge in Berkeley Division 3.

Keeper Meg Emms did extremely well to keep Wotton down to just three goals in the first half, although North Wilts did manage to force several short corners.

The second half saw a re-jig in the hosts’ defence, with Aileen Young going to right-back and Sian Fletcher playing centre-back.

North Wilts gained a foothold in the match and they came close to scoring on several occasions, with only last-ditch defending and saves keeping the ball out.

A Wootton counter ensured the final score was 4-0.

Martha Franks and Becky Bean were North Wilts’ standout players for their tireless running and energy.