COLWALL Women's Hockey Club 1st team ended their programme of league games before Christmas with a good win against Cheltenham.

COLWALL 3, CHELTENHAM 1

It was Cheltenham that started the game more positively, having several set pieces around the Colwall circle but the defensive unit stood firm. As the Herefordshire team settled, the Colwall midfielders began to enjoy more of the possession, breaking quickly from defence and down the wings.

Excellent attacking play from Polly Bounds, Sue Williams and Karen Hackley started to cause problems in the Cheltenham circle and it was only some good goalkeeping that prevented them from taking the lead.

Several penalty corners were spurned but eventually Colwall scored from a deflected shot from Sue Williams. From the restart Cheltenham tried to force an equaliser but could not break through the organised Colwall defence.

With Colwall sensing they could extend their lead they started the second half confidently, distributing the ball well. This good work was rewarded in a matter of minutes when a surging counter attacking move found Nicky Hannigan in acres of space in the Cheltenham circle who swept the ball past the diving keeper and into the vacant goal. With the score at 2-0 Colwall sensed that their opposition's heads had dropped and added a third goal minutes later.

Although they were three goals down Cheltenham continued to create problems around the Colwall circle and the home side were fortunate that defenders Jo Dinnie and Vicky Riley were in good form.

Cheltenham scored a consolation goal with minutes remaining but it wasn't enough to dampen Colwall's spirits. Colwall resume their league programme in February.

COLWALL 2NDS 2, BLOCKLEY 0

COLWALL Seconds started brightly, with some flowing moves covering the full length of the pitch, but were unable to break through the resolute Blockley defence.

The Blockley goalkeeper made some good saves, and luck seemed to be against Colwall as Coral Handley hit the post twice but the ball refused to go in the goal. It took a penalty flick converted by Handley to break the deadlock halfway through the first half. The goal spurred Blockley into a spirited fight back and it took good defence by Colwall, in particular Heidi Barlow, to keep them at bay. A full length save from goalkeeper Carole Ward ensured Colwall maintained the lead going in to the half time break.

The second half continued much in the same vein, with Blockley seeking the equaliser. Fortunately for Colwall, their main means of attack was down their left, but Anna Stocker was in fine from and was able to thwart many of their efforts. Louise Knight took a little time to adjust to a new position at left midfield, but ably supported by Jan Brown, limited the Blockley options on their side of the pitch.

Colwall looked most effective on the break, with Emily Lloyd and Jemma Murchington consistently beating the Blockley defence for pace. Halfway through the second half Emma Hirst picked up a clearance from the Colwall keeper, ran the length of the pitch and scored past a bemused Blockley defence with a well angled shot.

With a 2-0 lead Colwall never looked like losing the match although disciplined defending was needed to keep out Blockley's last ditch efforts.

The result means the Colwall go into the winter break in second place behind Newent in Severn Division Two. The next league match will be in February.