Mary Derrick

West Wilts Ladies 3rds 1, Chippenham Ladies 4ths 5

A BITTERLY cold Easter weekend saw West Wilts fulfil a postponed Wessex League Division Three fixture against a determined Chippenham side, who seemed more committed to the cause and consequently came away with the result.

Despite the sub-zero temperatures, there were some quick early exchanges, with Millie Cornish again outstanding in midfield and Alex Wood providing reliable opportunities up front.

It was a swiftly taken free hit from Gus Kerr-Bonner that fed Millie Cornish in space. She took on two defenders before threading a neat pass to Helen Culverhouse who dribbled confidently into the circle and past the goalkeeper for an early West Wilts lead.

Chippenham reacted with some aggressive hockey, but stalwart defence from Tanya Jackson and Karen Jeffreys frustrated their attempts to score.

A short corner was saved on the line by Gus Kerr-Bonner and Lynsey Gunning made two key interceptions on the right. Finally, however, the Wilts defence was broken when Sharon Thomas found a chink to slap a shot past Shana Lewis in goal. Just before half-time, Mary Derrick scored a second with a cheeky reverse-stick manoeuvre from a narrow angle.

In the second half, the Wilts heads dropped a little and despite Helen Culverhouse putting the ball in the net, the goal was disallowed after a consultation between the umpires.

Millie Cornish and Tina Towler continued to battle magnificently in the centre, but two more goals from Chippenham were bundled in, and although the team rallied, with a couple of good runs from Karla Cundick and Alex Wood firing in some testing crosses, a further breakaway goal from Sharon Thomas left Wilts on the disappointing end of a 5-1 result.

4:49pm Tuesday 25th March 2008

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