Ross-on-Wye 2, Blockley Ladies 8.

FOLLOWING their defeat by top-of-the-table Cirencester the previous week, Blockley Hockey Club Ladies travelled to Monmouth to take on Ross-on-Wye.

From the outset, the Ross defence struggled to deal with the quick passing and pace of the Blockley midfield and forwards, with Olivia Drinkwater scoring twice before Ross pulled one back.

Fiona Drinkwater added to Blockley’s total in the first-half.

After the break, Jo Peachey slotted home from a short corner before Olivia Drinkwater scored again to complete her hat-trick, with sister Fiona adding another.

All the endeavours of the Ross forwards down the left were ably dealt with by Sam and Sarah Edmunds, Blockley’s right defence and midfield.

Late in the game Ross added a second consolation goal before Fiona Drinkwater added two more goals to complete the scoring.

n A strong and confident performance from Blockley seconds produced a well-deserved 3-1 win. Blockley were determined to dominate from the start, but a short lapse in attention at the back resulted in Lydney securing the first goal. Shaken by this, the strong Blockley midfield of Liz Worvill, Fran Doran and Rachel Compton kept ensuring the forwards were well supplied with opportunities, many of which were converted to a series of penalty corners. With Clare Charlton hitting out first to Compton, then to Rachel Righton, the latter, with her first opportunity, struck hard and fast to give Blockley their first goal. The second-half continued with Blockley in control with only occasional work needed by defenders Katie Goodall and Kitty Boyes.

With another flurry of penalty corners, a shot towards goal by Righton was picked up by Fran Musgrave who found the best position by the post to give Blockley the lead. Captain Angie Reading-East, playing solidly at the back, made some forward runs and with Lindsay Shepherd dodging defenders in the centre, Blockley’s perseverance created more penalty corners. With the Charlton-Righton combination testing Lydney’s defence, Righton converted another corner for her side’s third goal.