Girls graciously grab the points in the gales at Halifax!

With terrible weather proving to have a huge effect at the West Yorkshire Club, all the girls from all five teams showed great team spirit and battled hard against the elements.

Rotherham’s first game saw them take on hosts Halifax, with a depleted team of 9 players the Rotherham girls fought hard for the points. Halifax pressured the Rotherham D on numerous occasions, however the visitors kept them a bay and played keep ball. Just minutes before the full time whistle Rotherham broke through after some very intelligent play, Lucy Cooke slotted home Rotherham’s winning goal.

After a quick 15minute break and rapid trip into the club house to dry out and warm up, the girls faced Slazengers and although the Wakefield side put Rotherham’s D under a lot of pressure they only took the lead 12 minutes into the game. Lapses in Rotherham’s defence lead to Slazengers scoring at the back post. The girls fought hard and created numerous counter attacks but were unable to find the equaliser.

A swift turn around saw Rotherham face Huddersfield Dragons, a game that proved to be end to end until Rotherham took control of play and began to put the Dragon’s goal under immense pressure. Regardless of their hard work the girls could not find the back of the net Captain Helen Chapman, Alice Clegg, Bethany Roper and Cooke all came close.
Another break and a hot chocolate later Rotherham braved the wintery weather yet again when they beat Leeds Adel 2-0. Cooke grabbed both goals after some brilliant build-up play from Clegg and Georgina De’Ath. Leeds had the chance to break away on several occasions, but were stopped in their tracks by Amanda Thickett, Emily McCarthy and goalkeeper Georgia Crowther.

Rotherham’s last game was against Selby Hockey Club. From the off Rotherham took control of the game and immediately pressured the Selby goal. Jade Haymer opened the score-line just 1 minute into the game, which was followed closely by Ropers first for the girls and not long after her second at the back post. Cooke netted another two after weaving her way through the Selby defence and Captain Chapman rounded off the day with her first and Rotherham sixth of the game.

Man of the Match goes to Amanda Thickett, for constant strong play in defence.