HOCKEY: DEESIDE Ramblers had a goal feast last weekend, scoring 14 times in two matches.
They took on Durham University at home on Saturday and cracked in seven goals without reply, thanks to Del Smith (3), Ben Crookes (2), Matt Allen and William Mumme-Young, who has been selected for assessment for the England U18s.
And on Sunday they travelled to Yorkshire to play at Leeds University, beating the students 7-3. Mumme-Young hit five of the goals, three from penalties, and Crookes and Gwyn Evans were also on target. Man-of-the-match was James Wilson.
The second team beat Mossley Hill firsts on Saturday by the odd goal in five with Mike Williams, Ed Lowe and Joe Rooney on the mark, while James Spencer was MoM.
Skipper John Ray scored the third team's goal in a 2-1 defeat by Neston South Wirral seconds, while the fourths hammered Rhyl seconds 5-1 with goals from Keith Hindley, Phil Johnson, Chris Marmion, Andy Griffiths and Phil Winward.
Ramblers' fifths came from behind to beat Knutsford thirds 3-1 with goals by Clive Gillespie (2) and Clem Mellor, while the sixth team went down 4-2 to Northop Hall fourths, Nick Worrall and Matt Hornby the scorers.
Top games at Tiverton tomorrow are the men's seconds against Urmston (3pm) and the ladies' firsts against Roseberry (1.30).
Chester's excellent form continued on Saturday with a 5-1 victory over Leeds University, to go joint second in the league. They could not have had a better start as a fine move resulted in Richard Bond firing into the top of the net with only a couple of minutes on the clock. Chester pressed on and it didn't take long for Bond to bag his brace.
After the break Chester continued to dominate and their third came from Tim Hewson, who intercepted a Leeds pass and charged into the D to hammer the ball home.
Leeds pulled a goal back but Chester continued to battle hard, and their relentless pressure led to forwards Chris Bowles and Rob Mason getting on the scoresheet.
In the end, what was expected to be a close game finished with Chester totally dominating the opposition and oozing quality. They travel to Hull tomorrow with a full squad to pick from.
Chester seconds travelled to Glaxo to face a strong, experienced side - and they got the perfect start, winning and converting their first short corner with a clever touch from Richard Nicholas.
Glaxo equalised with an excellent goal just before half-time and there was no more scoring.
Chester fourths were beaten 2-0 by Neston thirds and the fifths were punished for a dismal performance with a 10-1 defeat by Macclesfield. Ian Thomas scored the consolation goal.
Chester sixths played some of their best hockey of the season but went down 5-0 to Crewe Vagrants fourths.
Chester Ladies made the short trip to Merseyside and were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool Quilters, who took a 2-0 lead before a brilliant shot by Katie Mount from a short-corner routine put Chester back in the game.
Chester seconds beat Timperley 2-1 and led with Philippa Brooking converting the third deflection from the keeper into the top right-hand corner.
In the second half, Timperley came out strongly and Chester lost their composure for 10 minutes, allowing Timperley to draw level.
With encouragement from the Chester bench, the team pulled themselves together and a lovely move down the left wing presented Claire Gledhill with an easy shot into the net.
The fourths notched their second win of the season against Wilmslow seconds, 2-0.
Anyone interested in joining Chester Hockey Club can contact Ian Boothroyd on 01244 318805 or Janet Bickle on 01606 781931, or visit the website at www.chesterhc.org
Chester and District shared six goals with Didsbury Northern in a top-of-the-table clash in Manchester.
District started strongly and, within minutes, Sheila Dowson diverted a shot in open play, giving the Didsbury keeper little time. Despite valiant defending by Chester, the hosts equalised only for Cheryl Fleet to restore the lead with an excellent shot from a penalty-corner lay-off by Vicki Clark.
Didsbury came back strongly in the second half scoring two goals, but District players continued to dig deep and their efforts were rewarded with a second goal from Dowson. Vicki Clark was named as District's best player.
