Williams’ heroics helps Wildcats win
Women’s A LeagueBudgies A 2 Wildcats A 3The Budgies dominated the opening 20 minutes but were kept at bay by Wildcats’ goalkeeper Anti Williams.But their pressure eventually paid off when Lakae Dill scored a field goal in the 29th minute to take the lead. The opening goal seemed to spark the Wildcats into action and they fought back to equalise in the 31st minute on a reverse stick scoop by Maria Pichery.The Wildcats took the lead in the 51st minute when Susanna Almeida scored from a penalty corner. They were able to increase their lead when Eva Dillas cracked in a short corner shot in the 58th minute. The Budgies did manage to pull one through Stephanie Adderley with a penalty corner in the 65th minute but could not find an equaliser.Swallows A 5 Canaries A 4The Canaries’ Joanne Smith-Barrow gave her team the lead in the 4th minute through a field goal. Swallows’ Shannon Carlin equalised in the 6th minute from a field goal assisted by Elizabeth Stewart. Stewart then scored in the 11th minute from a penalty corner giving the Swallows a short-lived lead, before the Canaries’ Mary Ellen Jackson equalised from a field goal in the 29th minute.In the second half Maria Dobinson gave Swallows the lead from a pass by Elizabeth Stewart to score a field goal in the 48th minute. The Swallows added a fourth in the 52nd minute through Joanna Heaney.The Canaries’ Jackson got one back when she scored her second field goal in the 53rd minute. But the Swallows restored their two goal advantage in the 59th minute with a penalty corner by Elizabeth Stewart.The Canaries’ Lisa Marshall went on a solo run beating all in her path to score a field goal in the 67th minute to close the gap, but her team were unable to find an equaliser.Ravens A 2 Swifts 0The Swifts had several of their experienced players missing and started with just 10 players including 13-year-olds Azari Thomas and Taj Branch.They managed to hold out until the 33rd minute when they made two errors in front of goal to allow the Ravens’ Sharmini Samuels to score a field goal.In the second half the Swifts, who were boosted by having an eleventh player, held firm until another mistake allowed Ravens’ Emma Simmons to scoreher team’s second goal.Women’s B LeagueBluebirds B 2 Canaries B 0Bluebirds ran out as victors after Debra Sagurs scored in the 40th minute from a penalty corner with Liz Twite adding a second from another penalty corner in the 60th minute.Swallows B 1 Swifts B 5Swifts took an early lead through Ryanne Bardgett who was left unmarked on the penalty spot for an easy goal. Bardgett then turned provider for Kelah Osborne to tap in uncontested at the left hand post.Swifts then went three up as Bardgett went on a solo run beating two defenders before finishing neatly past the ‘keeper.Swallows, who played the entire match with just nine players, replied through Jennifer Chisnall in the 51st minute, but then conceded again when Bardgett completed her hat-trick. Alex Francis completed the scoring for the Swifts in the 57th minute after following up on her own rebound.Ravens B 1 Cardinals B 2Cardinals took the lead in the 10th minute through Denise Downey with Candy Foggo then doubling their lead just before the end of the first half.With five minutes of the game remaining, Ravens’ Annette Fitzmaurice cracked the ball high into the net in the 65th minute to give her side newfound hope.However, it was not to be Ravens’ night as they were unable to find an equaliser with the Cardinals hanging on for the win.