FOLLOWING on from a close victory against Olton last weekend, Ben Rhydding Women were looking for a momentum building victory with a visit from Stourport at the weekend.

They achieved exactly that with a convincing 3-0 victory.

The hosts started well with some brilliant build up play resulting in a barrage of efforts on the away side’s goal, however the Stourport keeper kept Rhydding at bay.

Quick thinking hockey from full back Rachelle le Bourdon saw an early ball go through to Rebecca Birch in the midline who turned and linked up nicely with Riley Taylor on the right. The eye-catching build up continued with a floating pass down the line to Sophie Davies, who hit a first time pass back to Birch; her quick fire first time shot caught the Stourport keeper off guard and found the back of the net.

Stourport had a few chances on the counter and won a penalty stroke for a body on the line during a short corner. However, Charlotte Smith pulled off a low diving save to keep Rhydding at 1-0 going into the break.

A scrappy third quarter saw neither side taking control of the game. However, in the final quarter, Ben Rhydding came out determined to put the game to bed. The squad showed great form, passing and building play well which was rewarded with another goal when Taylor, yet again, linked up brilliantly with Birch who hit another first time shot, this time firing the ball into the netting, over the top of the advancing keeper.

The game was put to bed with a third and final goal from Birch after Jess Triffitt won the ball in the press from a Stourport hit out. Triffitt played the ball through to Amy Booth who floated the ball into the D. Birch beat the Stourport keeper to it and calmly took the ball round her outstretched arms before firing another rocket into the netting.

A brilliant performance sees the women going into the one-week break on the up, and the squad return to action in two weeks’ time away at Durham.

Ben Rhydding Men 1 Lindum 3

As for the men’s side, they had a tough fixture against big rivals, Lindum. Newly promoted, Lindum have been in fine form this season, so it wasn't going to be easy.

Despite heading into the break at 0-0, Lindum gradually exerted more pressure and two goals from Sam Dixon and a third from James Niven put the visitors 3-0 ahead. Will Musgrave scored for Rhydding from a short corner, but then a saved penalty flick meant that a last-minute comeback did not materialise.

The men also have a week's break and will be in action at Timperley in two weeks’ time.