Devizes 1, Bretforton Ladies 3

BRETFORTON played their best hockey of the season but spurned an early penalty flick after plenty of attacking play from Andrea Cole, Deb Slatter, Gilly Wright and Lisa Workman.

Jane Wheeler's shot was then just a few inches too high over the back board but the pressure paid off when Slatter latched on to a loose ball to open the scoring.

Five minutes before the break, the visitors were unfortunate to have a penalty corner awarded against them and Vicky Webb, despite making a desperate dive to her right, was unable to stop the ball going high into the net.

The second half saw the hosts hit back and Wheeler, Bobbie Handley, Liz Murray-White and Blanche Surman had to work hard to keep them at bay.

Bretforton then regained control with some excellent play from Sarah Hall who combined with Slatter for Sophie Corbett to strike an unstoppable shot into the goal.

The scorer and player of the match then made the game safe with a carbon-copy strike.

The match ball was sponsored by Martyn Cole Architectural Design. Bretforton face East Glos on Saturday at Evesham High School (10.30am).

Bretforton II 1,

Shipston Oliffe 2

SOLID defending denied Bretforton the goal that their early play, instigated by Sarah Bragg, Danni Cox, Shirley Aubrey and Bernie Amphlett, had deserved and it was Saturday's visitors who struck first following a short corner.

The goal served to spur on the hosts and Kate Williams soon levelled following a short corner following good play from Sandra Boswell, Jude Edghill and Sue Shephard.

Substitute and player of the match Natasha Ingles produced some excellent play in the second half when again Bretforton just couldn't find the net.

They paid the penalty when Shipton bagged the winner ten minutes from time despite some doughty defending from Lesley McKinnon and Marion Icke.

The ball was sponsored by Cotswold Coving and Artex.