Buccs’ 1st XI hit back from two down to preserve unbeaten start

A round-up of Saturday 27th September’s women’s hockey matches.

A goal apiece from Katie Gwyther and Priya Kerfoot earned Team Bath Buccaneers 1st XI a draw at Oxford University

Team Bath Buccaneers 1st XI came from two goals down away to their Oxford University counterparts to continue their unbeaten start to the England Hockey Women’s Conference West campaign.

Emily Hersch (penalty stroke) and Sophie Watts (penalty corner) struck in the opening 20 minutes to hand Oxford a 2-0 advantage at Iffley Road Sports Centre on Saturday 27th September.

However, Katie Gwyther pulled one back with a field goal in the 35th minute and Priya Kerfoot bagged the equaliser in similar fashion in the 41st minute.

Watts received a green card in the 63rd minute of the 2-2 stalemate.

The Buccaneers went into the match on the back of a 3-0 success at Marlow 1st XI in their league opener on Saturday 20th September, Tabitha Tinniswood and Charlotte Barr among the scorers.

Ella Chainey and Gwyther were green-carded at Marlow Sports Club. And there was a green card for Tilly Brown of Marlow, whose Grace Kisbee was shown yellow.

The West Hockey divisions got under way on Saturday 27th September – and Team Bath Buccaneers 2nd XI started their programme with a goal-less draw at their Bristol Firebrands counterparts in the West Women’s Premier.

Team Bath 3rd XI overcame visitors University of Bristol 2nd XI 3-2 in West Women’s Division One North, although the winners let slip a three-goal advantage.

Alice Bennett notched a brace with field goals in the 21st and 43rd minutes, and Annette Pellow netted from a penalty corner in the 50th minute.

But the visitors responded through Lulu Parikian (field goal) and Bella Bray (penalty corner).

The Buccaneers’ 4th XI recovered from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw at Bristol & West Jaspers 1st XI in West Women’s Division 2 East.

Becky Redmile (penalty corner) and Megan Long (field goal) put Jaspers in a strong position by scoring inside the first 27 minutes. But field goals after 45 and 53 minutes ensured Team Bath left Mangotsfield School with honours even.

Maggie Marke scored four times as Team Bath 5th XI proved far too strong for guests Chippenham 3rd XI in West Women’s Whitehorse Division 1. The Buccaneers romped to a 6-1 victory.

Marke hit her haul – three field goals and a penalty corner – in the first 45 minutes. A field goal apiece from Betty Marshall and Marci Edwards completed the hosts’ tally.

However, a 14th-minute field goal from Chippenham’s Georgia McKibbin had pegged the Buccs back to 1-1.

Emilia Parsons and Anna Dixon were among the scorers for Team Bath 6th XI in their 3-0 win at Bristol & West Jaspers 3rd XI in West Women’s Brunel Division 2.

But Team Bath 7th XI conceded their West Women’s Whitehorse Division 2 match at home to Royal Wootton Bassett 3rd XI, the Wiltshire side awarded a 5-0 success.

City of Bath 1st XI chalked up a 2-0 home victory when they hosted Marlborough 1st XI at Kingswood School in West Women’s Division 2 East. Janet Young (penalty corner) broke the deadlock in the 45th minute. City of Bath netted again in the 55th minute.

There was misery for City of Bath 2nd XI, who trailed 4-0 after only 20 minutes and were thumped 6-0 when they entertained Devizes 1st XI in West Women’s Whitehorse Division 1.

City of Bath 3rd XI (Development) emerged 6-3 victors when they received North Somerset Gryphons 3rd XI (Development) in West Women’s Berkeley Division 3.

Mendip 1st XI suffered disappointment when they played their first competitive match at their new base, Ralph Allen School in Combe Down. Visitors Yeovil & Sherborne 1st XI took the honours with a 2-1 triumph in West Women’s Division 2 Central.

Melanie Bredow fired the travellers in front with a 15th-minute field goal, only for Georgie Kelly to respond in kind five minutes later.

Unfortunately for the home side, a Lola Tunnicliffe field goal in the 45th minute proved decisive.

Saturday 4th October’s fixtures for local women’s teams:

• England Hockey Women’s Conference West: Cheltenham 1st XI v Team Bath Buccaneers 1st XI (4pm).
• West Hockey West Women’s Premier: Team Bath Buccaneers 2nd XI v Swindon 1st XI (12.30pm).
• West Women’s Division 1 North: Keynsham 1st XI v Team Bath Buccaneers 3rd XI (11.30am).
• West Women’s Division 2 East: Team Bath Buccaneers 4th XI v City of Bath 1st XI (11am).
• West Women’s Division 2 Central: Taunton Civil Service 1st XI v Mendip 1st XI (10.30am).
• West Women’s Whitehorse Division 1: Bristol & West Jaspers 2nd XI v Team Bath Buccaneers 5th XI (10am), Swindon 2nd XI v City of Bath 2nd XI (10.30am).
• West Women’s Brunel Division 2: Team Bath Buccaneers 6th XI v Mid Somerset 2nd XI (12.30pm).
• West Women’s Whitehorse Division 2: Corsham 4th XI (Development) v Team Bath Buccaneers 7th XI.
• West Women’s Berkeley Division 3: Bristol Firebrands 6th XI (Development) v City of Bath 3rd XI (Development).