LEADERS Alnwick Firsts travelled to North Shields to play one of the toughest teams in their league.
Newcastle University are one of only two teams to have beaten this strong Alnwick squad this season.
On this windy and blustery day, Alnwick wo
n the toss and chose to have first pass-back in order to play a possession game.
Despite Newcastle's change of ends, they allowed Alnwick to have the fierce wind behind them, making their job slightly easier, if this was possible.
The match started with plenty of attacks at both ends, but great defending from Smith, J Ryder and Horne sent the ball back to the midfield to recommence Alnwick's attacks.
Newcastle managed to clear Alnwick's advances, but Allen, Cooke and Richardson were pinching the ball back.
L Lincoln put Alnwick ahead with a fantastic strike from the edge of the D, the goalkeeper having no chance. A great start for the league leaders, which had Newcastle furious.
Most of the play was controlled by Alnwick who were being coached from Fenwick in the dug-out.
An injury to Allen, along with Cooke's cut and blackened eye, called for a team shuffle in position. But as strong as before, they were quick to halt any attacks.
Stevenson in the Alnwick goal kept the leaders in the game, producing some excellent saves.
Half-time arrived and, refuelled on jaffa cakes and wine gums, it was Alnwick's turn to attack into the wind.
They started where they finished off with Howey, Snaith, Walton, A Lincoln and Britton driving the ball into the Newcastle danger area.
Player-of-the-match Horne kept Newcastle's key player-maker out of the game with her sturdy, solid tackling. It just wasn't Newcastle's day.
With literally blood, sweat and tears in Alnwick's performance, they proved why they are the team to beat this season by never giving up and playing their game for 70 minutes.
They have two remaining games: Saturday, March 8, 4pm start, at Longhirst against Newcastle II and March 15 at Longhirst against rivals Morpeth II.
Alnwick have promotion into the feeder league in their sights if they win their final matches. For league positions, points and goal difference visit the hockey club website www.alnwickhockey.co.uk
Team: J Stevenson, J Ryder, B Smith, S Horne, R Allen, A Cooke, N Richardson, L Lincoln, D Walton, A Lincoln, R Howey, C Britton, P Snaith. Player-of-the-match: Suzanne Horne. Coach: Julie Fenwick. Umpire: Fiona Hall.
