Cup wins cap best season

Southwell Brincliffe Ladies Hockey Club capped their best ever season with victories in both the Nottinghamshire Women’s Hockey League Cup and Shield finals.

The 1st XI completed a league and cup double when they beat West Bridgford Monarchs 1st XI in the cup final.

The Notts Premier Division winners were determined to show their superiority over West Bridgford, who had finished second in the division.

A short corner led to Southwell’s first goal through captain Hannah Wraith with a direct strike from the corner.

West Bridgford came back with a goal before half-time and took the lead after the break.

But Southwell replied immediately with a goal from Wraith.

Another short corner gave Southwell the lead through a direct strike from Rachel Kemp.

A hat-trick goal from Wraith, her 53rd of the season, consolidated the lead soon after.

Although West Bridgford converted a penalty seven minutes before time, Southwell maintained their lead to win the cup.

Southwell Brincliffe 3rd XI played Newark 2nd XI in the final of the shield competition.

The match was a tight affair and it was goal-less at half-time.

But ten minutes into the second half Karen Sanderson opened the scoring for Southwell and added a second after 20 minutes.

Newark came back with a goal two minutes from the end but Southwell hung on to win.

It was a fantastic result for the young team who also secured third place in Division Two of the Notts League in their first season in the division.

Despite being determined to end the season with a flourish, Newark Ladies’ 1st XI suffered a shaky start to their match at home to Ashfield Aztecs.

The visitors took an early lead but Newark struck back ten minutes before half-time with a goal from Gen Sweeney.

She completed her hat-trick in the second half while Hannah Coe also grabbed a brace in the 5-1 victory.