A LEAGUE and cup double victory for Deeside Ramblers at the weekend gave Cheshire bragging rights over Yorkshire.

Sunday’s English Hockey Cup pitted the Ramblers against Men’s Conference North side Doncaster.

The outcome was a giant-killing by the Ramblers as they defeated their hosts 6-2.

What was even more impressive was that Deeside did not field a full-strength side, drawing instead on their pool of squad players.

Tom Hill, Huw Barratt and David Cheshire stood up to the challenge and Cheshire even scored, as did Ibrar Latif and Hedley Pollard. The rest of the goals came from Ghanzafar Ali.

On Saturday Ramblers had dismantled Wakefield at Tiverton, winning 10-4 with goals from Pollard, Ali (4) and Ibrar Latif (5).

Southport lost at home to Deeside 2nds 2-0, Andy Stammers and Cheshire on target.

Phil Winward managed to organise Deeside 3rds into beating Carlisle by five goals, the 4ths saw Steve Cheshire masterminding a win over Chester and the young 5ths earned a steely 1-0 victory over Bebington.

Deeside Ladies beat Blackburn Ladies 6-2 in the Northern Premier Division. Kate Saunders (2), Claire Pearson (2), Nicky Roberts and Becky Andrew took Ramblers to the top of the table.

Chester began their season at home to Bolton on Saturday where they won 2-0 in Northern Division One.

Matt Hyden and Pete Evans were the scorers as Chester dominated the game.

The club also rearranged their match against Leeds University which was cancelled the previous week.

A win on Sunday would have taken Chester top but they could muster only a 2-2 draw with Stuart Field and Martin Sowden pulling their side back from 2-0 down.

Chester 5ths lost 5-2 at home to Neston 5ths with goals from Dan Haynes and Luke Hawkins.

The 6ths earned a point against Goldborne 2nds, drawing 1-1 thanks to a goals from Irvine.