Honours shared in local derby

Newtown Ladies Hockey Club shared the spoils with local rivals Welshpool at the weekend, meaning there’s little to choose between the two top teams in the North Wales League.

 

Having lost at their rival’s ground earlier in the season, Newtown were determined to make amends on home turf and felt unlucky not to have taken all three points.

 

They started well, putting pressure on Welshpool’s defence and forcing several early saves and Town continued to press with Emma Rowbottom and Karen Lewis linking up well to put Welshpool on the back foot.

 

The visitors came back into the game but were denied any clear cut chances by a strong home defence. Central defender Shelley Roberts had an outstanding match, keeping one of the league’s top scorers, Caroline Jones, relatively quiet throughout the game.

 

The second half saw Newtown once again start well with Jacqui Loxam and a man-of-the-match performance from Llewela Richards dominating in midfield. Newtown gained several penalty corners, but a well organised Welshpool rearguard kept Claire Bonsall’s strikes away. 

 

Welshpool finished strongly and had several attacking several penalty corners of their own, but a solid Newtown defence thwarted their efforts.

 

Welshpool remain at the top of the league, but if Newtown win their games in hand they will regain top spot and could edge out their local rivals to retain the North Wales league title.