Resuming their season with a surge of energy in week six, South Berkshire’s hockey squads took to the fields after a refreshing break. The Men’s 4th team kicked things off at Cantley Park, delivering an action-packed match that saw a remarkable ten goals. In a high-scoring affair, South Berks triumphed with a 6-4 victory, solidifying their 4th position in the league standings.
The Men’s 1st team faced an inaugural clash with Bournemouth, with Berkshire’s own Josh Cowell striking early, finding the net just five minutes in. Bournemouth responded in kind, but Cowell wasn’t finished, putting Berkshire ahead 2-1 by halftime. The second half saw Bournemouth raise the stakes, netting four goals in a quickfire 15-minute spell. South Berks’ errors proved costly, playing into Bournemouth’s hands, despite Sam Fox-Harvey narrowing the gap to 5-3. However, another turnover led to Bournemouth sealing their win at 6-3. This result leaves South Berkshire lingering third from last after their fifth game.
The Ladies’ teams then took center stage, with the Ladies 2nd team battling against Reading. An early goal from Reading was countered by Eve Kelly’s sharp finish, leaving the game evenly poised at 1-1 at the break. Reading, however, took control in the second half, netting three times and claiming a 4-1 triumph over South Berks.
In a historic first-time meeting, the Ladies 1st team squared off against Haslemere. The opposition edged ahead initially, but Berks quickly responded with goals from Yellie Powley and Liz Zutshi. The second half continued with equal zest, and thanks to Emilyn Yorke-Goldney and Bethan Thomas, Berks extended to a 4-1 lead. Haslemere snagged a late consolation goal, but Berks secured the win at 4-2, maintaining their unbeaten streak and their hold on fourth place.
Meanwhile, at Cantley, the Men’s 5th team enjoyed a narrow victory over Maidenhead with a 4-3 scoreline, Chris Davidson’s hat-trick propelling them to victory and preserving their undefeated record. At Birch Hill, the Ladies 3rd team and 4th team both reveled in victory, with wins over Amersham and Scarlet Runners, placing them 5th and at the league’s summit, respectively.
Ending the day at Birch Hill, the Berks Vets faced a tough game, succumbing to a 1-5 loss against Oxted. Away from home, the Men’s 3rd team produced a standout performance with a dominant 6-0 win over Maidenhead, with Chris Badger’s hat-trick anchoring their third-place spot. Not to be outdone, the Men’s 6th team saw Jack Hitchens score a hat-trick in a decisive 3-0 victory against Newbury, catapulting them to the top of their division.
With the Men’s 2nd team’s game against Windsor rescheduled for November 8th, South Berkshire’s teams continue to navigate through the season with their eyes set on climbing the ranks in their respective leagues.
Photos by Chris Cook
