Quinn wraps up scoring for impressive league leaders

HENLEY LADIES 1sts went down to a 3-1 South Central Women’s Premier Division 1 defeat at OXFORD HAWKS 2nds last Saturday in their first fixture since the winter break.

The home team started brightly, setting a high tempo, with switching runs from their forwards causing Henley issues in defence and securing Oxford the opening goal.

Henley settled into the match and put together some good passages of play. The visitors pushed Oxford back until a loose pass among their defence allowed Caitlin Barass to pounce and intercept and beat the keeper in a one-on-one to level the score.

A defensive error from Henley allowed space for an Oxford forward to put a second goal past the Henley keeper for 2-1.

Henley came out fighting after half-time, winning a number of penalty corners that the team executed well, but were unable to convert.

Oxford delivered a hammer blow late on in the final quarter after confusion between defence and the umpires led to a penalty corner for the home side, which they managed to convert.

HENLEY LADIES 2nds moved to joint top of Division 2 North following a 2-0 win at AMERSHAM AND CHALFONT 3rds.

Henley started quickly and had the ball in the back of the net after 10 minutes only for it to be ruled out for an infringement in the build up to the goal.

Tempers frayed but Henley regained their composure quickly and continued to play good hockey.

Kirsten Botha, Sophy Rogers, Olivia Callaway and Ellie Roseff were impressive in midfield as they fed the forward line. A long corner from Botha and a pass from Hayley Rogers saw her fire the ball into the D to Chloe Lyons, who turned and fired home the opening goal.

A couple of cards for Henley didn’t deter the visitors as the defensive line up of Alyx Clarke, player of the match Sophie Miller, Giorgia Fiorentino and Izzy Woolfrey were winning tackles, making interceptions, working the ball out from the back and giving little away. Against the run of play, Amersham scrambled a scrappy goal.

In the second half the pace of Ellia Gurney was on full display as Amersham tired, and she was unlucky not to score with some good breakaways and Miller and Hayley Robertson were combining well to start attacks and keep possession, and Henley got a foothold again.

Henley’s second goal came from a short corner, Lyons getting on the end of a rebounded shot to sweep home.

In the last 10 minutes the home side were relentless in their pursuit of a goal and forced Georgie Grocock in goal into some good reflex saves. Bodies were put on the line and some bumps suffered, but Henley held firm to clinically defend and see the game out.

HENLEY LADIES 3rds remain in second place in Division 2 Thames following their 2-0 home win against WYCOMBE 4ths.

The breakthrough came after 25 minutes from a well‑-worked short corner. Jo Corbett played the initial ball back to Rosie Wilkinson, who struck cleanly to beat the Wycombe keeper to give Henley the lead going into half time.

The second half saw Henley find their groove, with intelligent passing flowing from the back through to the forwards. Fi Dunn, Ang Botha and Martha Peach were composed in defence, linking smoothly with midfielders Charlotte Clarke, Maeve Moorcroft and Poppy Williams, before moving the ball into Nina Lloyd, Lizzie Briscoe and Rosie Wilkinson up front. Emily Mir’s pace and pressure forced a number of short corners, keeping Wycombe pinned back.

The second goal came once again from player of the match Wilkinson, who calmly slotted past the keeper to seal victory.

Division 2 Thames league leaders HENLEY LADIES 4ths put in an impressive performance as they ran out 8-0 winners at WYCOMBE 6ths despite missing several first team players and having no goalkeeper.

Henley opened the scoring inside seven minutes from a short corner, with Ali Jean-Jean injecting and Kat Green finishing clinically. Continued pressure down the right paid off as Charlotte Moore doubled the lead, before Katherine Alderton added a third with a well-timed finish.

Although Henley were dominant, Wycombe grew into the game late in the first half and threatened on the counter. A crucial, last-ditch defensive intervention from Hattie Wheeler prevented a certain goal, sending Henley into half time 3-0 ahead.

In the second half Ali Jean-Jean scored from another short corner, before Isla Hallett and Tilly Alderton combined to make it 5–0.

Bea Watts added two fine solo goals, showcasing pace and precision, before Niamh Quinn rounded off the scoring following a well-worked team move.