Hockey: Sunderland nearing the top spot

Mar 11 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

SUNDERLAND are three victories from winning the Women’s National Hockey League Division One after a dominant first-half display and a 3-2 win at Sutton Coldfield.

The Wearsiders dominated the opening 35 minutes and although they had a goal disallowed in the opening minute, it only took until the second minute for them to open the scoring, albeit fortuitously. Nicola Hodgson rounded the goalkeeper but her weak shot was going wide until it was touched in by a defender.

Ali Gordon, from a penalty corner, doubled the lead and Hodgson made it three just before the break. The pattern continued in the second half but not the flow of goals. Two late lapses allowed the hosts to give the scoreline a more flattering appearance.

Sunderland are second in the table but the key game will be a week on Saturday, when they travel to Trojans looking to do the double over the league leaders.

Durham University dropped into the bottom two after losing the dress rehearsal for Thursday’s British Universities final. The visitors had more possession but Loughborough students created more chances. A clumsy foot in Durham’s D created the game’s only goal, Vanessa Roberts converting a short corner a minute before half-time.

Only two great saves from Katie Riddell after the restart prevented Loughborough extending their lead. Doncaster drew 3-3 at home to Birmingham University to leapfrog Durham in the table.

Whitley Bay and Tynemouth took advantage of Belper’s slip-up to go second in Division One with two wins at the weekend. Bedford were dispatched 3-1 on Saturday and Cambridge City beaten in a 5-4 victory more comfortable than the scoreline suggested.

Bay went in 5-1 up at half-time on Sunday, Kath Smith completing her hat-trick a minute before the break. The Cambridge comeback included two surprise penalty corners.

Julie Scott, Liz Perry and Smith scored in both weekend games. Belper were hammered 8-0 at Nottingham on Sunday.

Mike Shkurka’s third hat-trick this season saw Newcastle defeat Timperley 4-3 in the Men’s Northern League Premier Division.

RESULTS

MEN – Northern League Premier Division: Newcastle University 4, Timperley 3; Leeds 0, Durham University 5. Division One: Durham University II 2, Wakefield 2; Chester 3, Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 2; Stockton 3, City of York 2. Division 2 East: Leeds University II 1, Northumbria St Georges 2; Sheffield Hallam II 7, Gateshead 1; Harrogate II 1, Durham City 5. Sunday: Northumbria St Georges 2, Chapeltown 7.

WOMEN – National League Division One: Loughborough Students 1, Durham University 0; Sutton Coldfield 2, Sunderland 3. Northern Division: Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 3, Bedford 1. Sunday: Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 5, Cambridge City 4. Northern League Division One: City of York 1, Broom 2; Berwick 1, Didsbury Greys 3.