Hockey: Ramblers notch up cup double

Sep 26 2008 Chester Chronicle

DEESIDE Ramblers warmed up for the start of the league season tomorrow by notching up a pair of cup wins at the weekend.

The Ramblers safely negotiated the first hurdle in the Cheshire Cup thanks to an 8-1 triumph over Alderley Edge.

Ibrar Latif helped himself to a hat-trick, while Tom Fernall, Ghazanfar Ali, Russell Hornby and the talismanic Hedley Pollard (2) also netted.

Deeside are also through in the national HA Cup thanks to a tense 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Oxton.

The score was 3-3 at the end of normal time and 5-5 after extra-time, with Ali (2), Latif (2) and Pollard the scorers.

Ramblers’ 2nds went down 5-3 to Brooklands in a friendly. There were outstanding performances from goalscorers Phil Brown (2) and Danny Hancock.

A strong second-half performance enabled Chester 2nds to beat Oxton in a friendly.

It was 1-1 at half time, but Chester eventually ran out 4-1 winners. Harvey Shaw and Sean Blain (3) scored.

Chester 5ths saw off Oxton 6ths 4-3 thanks to Daniel Haynes (2), John Logue and Roger Thompson.

With the league season due to start tomorrow, Chester Ladies warmed up with a 2-2 draw against North Staffs.

Chester were in fine form in front of their new coach Lee Ible and dominated throughout, their goals coming from Emma Blair and Dawn Nunes.

Chester Ladies 2nds earned a well-fought 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury, while their fourth team lost 7-2 to Bowdon. There was some outstanding play from newcomers Zoe Hall and Sella Masselink and the younger players in the team showed maturity, in particular Pippi Gould and Phillipa Jones.