DENBIGH Men’s Hockey Club have completed a fantastic first season back in the North West Hockey League.
Promotion to Division Nine had been secured by the 6-1 result versus Timperley 5ths, while last Saturday Denbigh secured the championship when they played Llandudno 2nds.
Llandudno were the only team in the previous 15 games of the season to stop Denbigh taking all three points, but the Vale of Clwyd side knew a draw would be enough to remain in top spot.
Denbigh had a dream opening and they were two-up inside 15 minutes, benefiting from some excellent pace and power in attack.
First, Simon Williams was on hand to finish well after capitalising on a defensive mistake and then Rhys Hughes finished delicately after good passing from defence to attack.
Denbigh were in control when Llandudno were reduced to 10 men, after their centre forward was sin binned for petulance.
However, the seasiders rallied and managed to pull a goal back by half-time.
The second-half began as tense as the first had ended, before Simon Williams eased any nerves by netting his second.
That was Williams’ 49th goal of the season in just 14 games.
At 3-1 Denbigh were cruising to another victory, however Llandudno had other ideas and two late goals set up a nervous last 10 minutes.
If it remained 3-3, Denbigh knew the title would be theirs, but a fourth Llandudno goal would mean needing points from a tough trip to Oxton next week to secure the title.
There were chances at both ends to clinch the game, but it finished all square, meaning Denbigh won North West League Division 10 (South).
Denbigh have won 14 games out of the 16 played and have only been beaten once.
With the title secured, Denbigh will be hoping for further success when they face Colwyn Bay 4ths in the North Wales League Cup quarter-finals next month.
CAERNARFON 1
RUTHIN LADIES 6
GOAL-DEN girls Ruthin hit their opponents for six for the second week running.
Hot on the heels of their thumping win over Rhyl, Ruthin’s successful run continued at Caernarfon, despite a slow start.
Initially Ruthin were unable to create the energy needed to produce the high-quality hockey that they have been playing lately and Steph Bradley got the only breakthrough of the half from a short corner.
Rookie keeper Olivia Miller had an excellent game in goal making some crucial saves, preventing the home team from gaining a lead.
Ruthin started the second half in much brighter fashion and they were soon rewarded when Claerwen Render’s reverse sweep shot was deflected in by Laura Seddon.
Playing two-touch hockey, Ruthin moved the ball fast and accurately around, passing the ball before Caernarfon could make the big tackle.
Ruthin’s pressure brought about a penalty corner which the prolific Sian Edwards converted. Soon after Steph Bradley drove the ball into the D and picked out Seddon to claim her second goal of the game.
Zoe Williams’ hard work throughout the game was rewarded when she scored from open play and Ruthin sealed the points when Claerwen Render was first to react when the ball rebounded off the keeper for Ruthin’s sixth goal of the game.
Seconds from the finish Caernarfon were awarded a short corner, from which they grabbed a consolation, but that didn’t take the gloss off an excellent second half team performance from Ruthin.
Ruthin: Edwards (c), Miller, Hurst, Roberts, Dibley, Render, Harrison, Dewhurst, S Bradley, Williams, F Bradley.