NORTHALLERTON Hockey Club’s under 12s team have been on an excellent run of form so far this season, at one stage winning through to the first division of the Yorkshire youth league.

On Sunday, the side competed in the EH Cup, playing five matches at Weetwood Park in Leeds, beating Leeds 2-0, Doncaster 2-0 and Huddersfield Dragons 5-0, but losing 2-0 to Slazengers and 4-1 to City of York. Goals came from Sadie Robinson (four), Charlotte Jackson-Bowers (three) and Vivy-Anne Wilson (two).

In further success for the club’s junior players, four have been selected to play with North Yorkshire squads – Millie Luck, Sadie Robinson, and James and Becksy Wilkin.

The senior teams were also in action at the weekend, with the seconds keeping up their league challenge with a 2-1 win at home to Selby seconds.

Northallerton attacked straight from the whistle and took control of the game. The Selby ‘keeper was on fine form and was well supported on the line by her defenders, as numerous shots were saved and deflected away.

Lorna Kirby eventually found the corner of the goal for Northallerton after some excellent attacking play to make the score 1-0 at half time.

North’s defence of Steph Beckwith, Imogen Hill, Vicky Coates and Jacque Griffiths stayed strong throughout and kept Selby out of their defending circle.

Further up the field, Alice Parker, player of the match Jess Thurlow, Jayne Stubbins, Emma Kirby and Stacey Grant played superbly as they intercepted passes and fed numerous balls through to the Northallerton forwards. Selby continued to defend well against many shots from Lucy Robinson, Hannah Kendrew, Lorna Kirby and Sandra Horner.

The second goal eventually came after a scramble when Horner managed to poke the ball over the line. Selby scored a consolation goal in the last few minutes of the game.

The first team lost 4-2 away to top of the league Wakefield thirds, putting in a creditable performance against strong opposition. North scored twice in the first half through Brooke Hodgson, whose pace caused the Wakefield defence difficulties throughout the match, but the home side hit back each time.

Wakefield took control in the second half, but Northallerton never let their heads drop, forcing the home ‘keeper into a string of saves.

For more information about the club, see www.pitchero.com/clubs/northallertonhockeyclub