It was ‘business as usual’ as Leeds Adel HC Men’s First XI stormed to victory at North Shields

For North Shields it was a hope of revenge after the 12-3 defeat in the earlier reverse fixture; for Adel it was hope of business as usual despite the high-placed opposition.

Prior to the game,North Shields boasted a 100 per cent undefeated record at their home ground but that didn’t stop Adel making their usual high-press start that led to goals in the first five minutes for captain James Stroomer and Will Purdy.

The game then settled into a regular rhythm as Adel worked the ball around their back line to keep North Shields guessing but the hosts latched onto a rare mistake to force a short corner. The first shot was blocked but the home team were first to the rebound as Adel let in their first goal in three weeks.

However, before the half had finished, Adel had doubled their total through Stroomer and James Moorhouse.

North Shields flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half to put Adel on the back foot, but a clear head, control and skilful finish by Moorhouse settled any nerves among the visitors.

Coach, Simon Ball, obviously has his eyes on the next few weeks of the campaign, as he refused to let his team slow the pace. Further goals were added by Ben Leeming, Sam Harris and the completion of hat-tricks by both Moorhouse and Stroomer in a 9-1 rout.

Next weekend, Adel welcome Brigg to the War Memorial in a battle of first versus second that could be promotion defining.

“We just need to trust the process we have in place,” said Ball, “and take it one game at a time.”

Adel are unbeaten at home this season and on their current form look almost untouchable and will not want to let loose the hold they have had on the league since day one.

However, having inflicted their only loss this season, beaten Adel in their last three meetings, and still without a loss this campaign, Brigg will be in confident mood of taking more points from the side in orange.

For those neutrals, the game promises to be a fantastic spectacle, with push back happening at 1.30pm this coming Saturday.

Adel HC results in full: Men’s Ones 9 North Shields 1, Men’s Fives 3 Boston Spa 0, Ladies Ones 2 Newcastle 3, Ladies Twos 1 Sheffield Hallam 4, Ladies Threes 3 Chapeltown 1, Ladies Fives 0 Leeds Uni 4.

It was a weekend of mixed results for Leeds Hockey Club, as the Men were beaten at home, but the Ladies sneaked a narrow victory.

Travelling to play Brookland-Poynton, Leeds Ladies always knew it was going to be a tough game, especially with their current run of form.

Leeds took the lead through Alice Blades, but soon went downhill as Brooklands came back hard to lead 2-1 going into the half.

An equaliser after the restart meant there was still all to play for in this competition and led to a frantic three minutes as the game was decided in some end-t0-end play.

Leeds snatched the lead as Victoria Hill scored her second of the game on 58 minutes, before a deliberate foul from Becky Blades saw a yellow card and a penalty stroke given straight from the centre allowing Brooklands to regain parity.

Less than 90 seconds after they had restarted play, Leeds had the ball back in the net and a valuable three points as Maxine van Esseveld helped get Leeds over the line.

Despite still being rooted to the base of the league, Leeds will be grateful for the victory – which sees them gain their first points since November.

Goals from Harry Lankfer and Daniel Mills were separated by four goals from visitors, University of Birmingham as Leeds Men once more suffered defeat.

In 13 second-half minutes, Birmingham destroyed any hopes Leeds had of taking something from the game as they overpowered their hosts.

With the next two games being against the teams in the two places above them, Leeds need results from both games or relegation is almost certain.