Hockey - Ulverston make early mark (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Hockey - Ulverston make early mark

1:37pm Saturday 20th September 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

ULVERSTON got off to a flying start against Wigton in the Cumbria League with Claire Grace setting up Rachel Smith to score.

Wigton worked their way back to equalise with a deflected shot after a penalty corner and they went 2-1 up with an acute-angled strike.

Ulverston’s keeper kept them in the game and a flowing passing move from a free hit ended with Grace levelling the scores at 2-2 and she finished off another good move soon afterwards to give Ulverston the lead again.

Although Wigton attacked strongly, it was Ulverston who added two further goals both by Smith to seal a 5-2 victory, with Becky Woodhouse the player of the match for the winners.

Ulverston narrowly missed out on a place in the Netherwood Tournament final in a semi-final penalty shootout against Lancaster, who went on to beat Kirkby Lonsdale in the final again on a shootout.

Ulverston had emerged as group winners with a 3-0 win over Ambleside thanks to goals from Emily Tallontire (2) and Lavinia Hudson; a 0-0 draw with Windermere and a 1-0 victory over Keswick courtesy of a Vicky Bryson striker.

Natasha Parsons and Olivia Hibbert played well in midfield with debutants Daisy Skyrme and Leanne Walmsley showing promise.