Men’s 1s: Gritty Win Secures 5th Place

The Men’s 1s hosted Tiverton White Eagles 1 in a closely contested fixture in the West Open Division 2 Central league. In a match where fine margins defined the outcome, Yeovil & Sherborne emerged victorious with a hard-fought 3-2 win.

The game was a testament to the team’s ability to grind out results under pressure. This crucial victory keeps the Men’s 1s sitting comfortably in fifth place in the league table on 24 points. With a significant nine-point cushion over the bottom half of the table, but a gap opening up to the top four, the team has firmly established themselves as a solid mid-table outfit this season. Their focus now turns to maintaining this momentum and perhaps closing the distance on the leaders in the final weeks.

Men’s 2s: Clean Sheet and Clinical Finishing

The Men’s 2s enjoyed a stellar afternoon at home against West Dorset 1 in the Parrett Division 1. The team produced one of their most complete performances of the season, blending defensive solidity with ruthless attacking efficiency.

The first half saw Yeovil pile on the pressure, controlling the tempo and creating numerous opportunities. They eventually broke the deadlock through Seb, who battled tenaciously to give the team a 1-0 lead at the break.

Following the interval, the Men’s 2s moved up a gear. A textbook short corner routine involving Chris set up Tom to deflect home for 2-0, giving the hosts breathing room. The game was put beyond doubt when Seb claimed his second goal of the match, emphatically roofing the ball from close range to make it 3-0.

Goalkeeper Aaron and the defensive unit were rightly praised for a well-earned clean sheet, repelling the few chances West Dorset created. The 3-0 victory leaves the 2s in fourth place on 22 points, bridging the gap to the top three while holding a significant advantage over the chasing pack.

Men’s 3s: A Frustrating Derby Day

The Men’s 3s made the short trip to local rivals Chard Men’s 3 for a derby in the Parrett Division 2 league. With several regulars missing, the squad was bolstered by Nick, Laurence, Zade, Oscar, and Steve, who stepped up admirably to fill the gaps.

The first half was a tense stalemate, with YSHC enjoying the lion’s share of possession but struggling to find the “killer ball” in the final third. Jasper produced his best performance of the season in defence, reading the game superbly to keep Chard at bay.

However, the deadlock was broken in the second half in frustrating circumstances. A Chard free hit found its way into the D, and with the Yeovil & Sherborne defence momentarily waiting for a whistle that never came, the opposition pounced to score. As the visitors pushed desperately for an equaliser, Chard capitalised on the open space to score a scrappy second, ending the contest at 2-0.

Despite the loss, the Yeovil & Sherborne Men’s 3s remain in fourth place with 21 points. Matt Harper claimed a unique double, being awarded the Man of the Match despite the result.

Ladies 1s Remain Dominant at the Summit

The Ladies 1s continue to set the pace in the West Women’s Division 2 Central league. Following a commanding 5-0 victory against Taunton Civil Service Ladies first team on Saturday, they firmly retain their position at the top of the league table.

With 32 points from 13 games and an impressive goal difference of 29, the team is in excellent form. Their ability to find the back of the net while maintaining a solid defensive structure has been key to their success this season. This latest victory serves as a statement of intent to the rest of the league: the Ladies 1s are determined to secure the title.

Ladies 2s Battle in Wessex Division 1

In the West Women’s Wessex Division 1, the Ladies 2s faced a tough challenge against Cheddar Ladies second team. It was a tightly contested affair where defences were on top for long periods. Unfortunately, it resulted in a narrow 1-0 loss for Yeovil & Sherborne.

Despite the result, the team remains in a respectable fourth position in the league standings, sitting on 25 points. The league remains highly competitive, and the squad will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back in their next fixture as they look to close the gap on the top three.

Ladies 3s Face Tough Opposition

It was a challenging weekend for the Ladies 3s in the Sedgemoor Division 1. They faced Tiverton White Eagles 1 away from home. The team currently sits in tenth position.

It has been a testing season for the squad, but their commitment to fulfilling fixtures and competing against strong opposition like league leaders University of Exeter demonstrates the club’s enduring spirit. Every match provides valuable experience, and the team continues to work hard for each other on the pitch.

Ladies 4s: A Spirited Performance in Defeat

The Ladies 4s, currently sixth in the Wessex Division 2 league, hosted Cheddar 3 in what turned out to be the match of the weekend for drama and determination. Coming off the back of two recent wins, confidence was high. However, the dynamics of the game shifted early as Cheddar arrived without a recognised goalkeeper, forcing Yeovil & Sherborne to adapt tactically to playing against 11 outfield players.

The defensive unit—comprising Poppy, Keziah, Jo, Liz, and Tracy—put in an outstanding shift to contain the visitors. Despite their efforts and some fabulous saves from goalkeeper Nic, who played despite feeling unwell, Cheddar took a 2-0 lead.

However, the team showed tremendous character. A precise pass from Hayley released Lorna, who calmly finished to pull a goal back before half-time. Following a rousing team talk from coach James, the squad controlled much of the second half. Although Cheddar added a third, Yeovil & Sherborne refused to back down. Jo set up Lorna for her second goal of the match, keeping the contest alive until the final whistle.

The game ended in a narrow 2-3 home defeat, but it was a performance to be proud of. Lorna earned Player of the Match for her brace, while Jess received the ‘Sedric’ award for her perseverance.

Join Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club

Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club welcomes new players so if you are interested in playing it is easy to get in touch with the membership secretary via the club’s website. The club runs a Ladies ‘Development’ side for those returning to the sport wishing to brush up on their skills or those who are new to the sport wishing to increase their level of experience. Playing occasional games on Sundays this is an ideal chance to make friends and enjoy playing hockey. Coaching is on Tuesday evenings at the club’s home pitch in Yeovil.

Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club welcomes players of all ages and has an active junior section where players will learn the sport in a safe and encouraging environment. For more information, please have a look at: https://yshc.co.uk/junior-hockey.

The club also organises a social, informal Masters Pay & Play on Thursday evenings open to any older players returning to the game or those new to the area.