Sports Round Up

Tows rugby saw just 2 sides in action at the weekend. The Development XV and Colts both had emphatic wins,, the 2nds away in a friendly against Melton Mowbray and the Colts demolishing Wellingborough at home to keep up there challenge at the top of their league! Well done to both.

The first XV return to League action at home this Saturday against local rivals Buckingham who despite their lowly position at the bottom of the league always raise their game against the Tows and bring a noisy large travelling support, so please come down and support the boys!

Hockey

Towcester 1s V Shrewsbury 1s

Final Score 8-0 to Shrewsbury

A difficult fixture for the 1s this week with a few crucial players missing. Tows held well in the first 25 mins with some brilliant team work, building from defence through to midfield, attacking strongly to create many goal scoring opportunities. The questionable opening goal by Shrewsbury seemed to knocks Towcester strong grip on the game and that with the fading light and some questionable umpiring decisions saw Shrewsbury’s score line increase. With Tows down to 10 men confidence was understandably knocked causing Tows heads to drop and tired legs to show. The resilience of the team only faulted in the last 5 mins where the majority of Shrewsbury’s goals were scored. The score line does not reflect the hard work of every player including Caroline who stepped up from the 2nds this week. Although a disappointing loss and things to build on Towcester 1’s continued to fight as a team and were extremely unlucky not to be rewarded for their efforts. Player of the match was awarded to Mel Linnell for her superb defending and communication from the back.
Next fixture V Milton Keynes HC at home on Saturday 3rd January.

Towcester 2 V Ashby
Final score 7-2 to Ashby

The final game of this half of the season saw tows 2 come up against 2nd in the league Ashby. The visitors were full of confidence as they raced into a 2 – 0 lead but the Tows came back, fighting hard and produced a marvellous response as first Sacha Percival crossed for Cheryl McCulloch to slot home and then from a Kathryn Taylor shot, Nicky Evans managed to lift the ball into the net to score an equalising goal. Tows deserved this through effort and some good skills, and the game was delicately poised as we headed to half time. With Ashby beginning to get frustrated the match looked to be heading to an interesting 2nd half when Ashby went and stole the lead just before the half time whistle. They quickly added 3 more as the goal before half time seemed to knock the confidence from Tows and despite a great team effort Ashby managed to come out 7-2 winners.
This half of the season has been a steep learning curve for the tows but the spirit and effort has been fantastic, even in this the last game, there were two more debuts and a fantastic effort in goal by Lisa Groves, who had never been in goal before. Hopefully the festive break will bring plenty of cheer for Tows in 2015. Next fixture is a friendly V Banbury Hockey Club away at 11am on Saturday 3rd January.

Towcester 3 v Oundle 2
Final score Towcester 3 win 2-0

Towcester took on Oundle 2s in the final match before the winter break. Having lost 4-1 at the start of the season to a strong Oundle 2s side, Towcester were keen to improve on this result. Towcester were strong from the starting whistle producing some great attacking play from Bea Bridge in midfield. Oundle were strong at the back and confidently won the ball in defence, but no sooner was the ball out and Jo Bradley and Karen Green in Towcester midfield won the ball back. Bea continued to run at the Oundle defence and eventually a cross to Maeve Preston and on to Louise Rhodes to push the ball home into the bottom corner from the top of the D saw Towcester take the lead. Oundle showed no sign of threatening the Towcester goal and stand in keeper Judy Astbury as the defence were tackling and intercepting balls with confidence, half time score 1-0.
From the push back a Towcester error saw Oundle on the attack and finally pressuring the Towcester goal but to no avail. Towcester settled back into the game and were back on the attack, Oundle were now a lot more defensive so Towcester despite being in control of the game struggled to get the ball through to the forwards in the D. Midway through the second half a run from midfielder Karen Green into the D and a confident strike on goal gave Towcester a 2-0 lead.
Oundle never gave up and produced a couple of chances late in the second half with tows GK having to make her first and only touch of the game to keep a clean sheet. Harriett Stapleton did well to keep the ball out the net at a goal mouth scuffle also from the Oundle attack. Some great tackling and distribution of the ball from Jo Bradley saw her awarded with the player of the match. Final score Towcester 3s 2 – Oundle 2s 0 A great end to the first half of the season, let’s hope the winter break does not disrupt the great play from the team.

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