Leeds Hockey Club: Lessons learned from seniors' trip to Loughborough while Sixes debut with a win

With the men still flying high from their hard-fought victory over Durham the week before, they were hoping to maintain the momentum as they faced a Loughborough Student side positioned just below them in the league. However, it took until the second half for a goal to be scored in this game, and unfortunately for the Leeds team, it was against them. In the 47th minute, Loughborough scored the first goal of the game with some smooth passing and a clean strike by Edward Firth.

This seemed to wake the visitors up; straight from the restart Leeds showed that they were capable of some quick passing themselves, and less than a minute later they had pulled one back through Nathan Hill. With the game back level, Loughborough showed some dominance, resulting in Firth netting his, and Loughborough’s, second from a short corner – something Leeds are finding problematic.

Once again, Leeds were having to come from behind, but on the hour, Martyn Sutherland scored from a short corner at the other end to set up a tense final ten minutes. Second-placed Nottingham University visit Sports Park Weetwood this memorial Sunday.

Leeds Ladies took on an unbeaten Loughborough side looking for a win to get their season back on track. It wasn’t to be, however, as Loughborough showed why they are amongst the favourites for the league title, dominating from first whistle to last with four different scorers helping the hosts ease to victory.

The first goal came in the 13th minute, after a short corner was converted by Hannah Grieve. Genevieve Hussell and Alice Rolfe scored a goal a piece within 30 seconds of each other to put the students in a commanding lead, with Cerys Miller adding the icing to the cake with 12 minutes to go in the match.

Leeds are visited by Brooklands-Poynton this Saturday, and with both teams sitting mid-table, it could be a game to watch.

It wasn’t all bad for the Ladies section of Leeds Hockey Club though as the Ladies Sixes won their first-ever game in the Yorkshire League, with an excellent 3-1 win over City of York.

Leeds hit the ground running with an early goal by Ruby Jamson and kept the pressure on for the entire game with two further goals from Susie Hall and Lexi Powell.

Despite York pulling a goal back, strong performances in defence from Sophie and Alice Bull, and a great display from Tor Walton in the Leeds goal, ensured Leeds secured a well-deserved win.