Great result for Ladies 1s

This was a must win game for Broxbourne as they were lining up against several ex-badgers who had defected to their local rivals over the off season.
Unfortunately the weather did not reflect the jubilant atmosphere with both teams battling against driving wind and rain.
The Badgers welcomed back seasoned professionals Lucy Hoskin, Tor Stacey and Gemma Wilkinson this week as well as seeing Freya Green make her debut between the posts.

Lucy Hoskin returned to the side in a cameo role on her break from playing professional netball at the University of Birmingham. It was rumoured that after the game she was heard saying that it had made her “realise what she was missing.” Here’s hoping she’ll return to the far more superior sport soon.

It was a nervy first 10 minutes as both teams tried to cope with the appalling conditions and the multitude of new players each team had picked up over the summer. Broxbourne had to work hard to close down the nippy Hertford forwards however the defence stood strong with Herford rarely broaching the Broxbourne 25.

Again Broxbourne looked positive going forward but were unable to convert. The penalty corners came thick and fast with the Badger’s squandering chances on the posts, leaving the crowd biting their fingernails as the tension mounted.

Ten minutes before half time an excellent run from Charlotte Skipp down the baseline left the Hertford defenders mesmerised as she beat 3 players before lining up to score her first of the game. The keeper was beaten and the ball was halfway over the line when Hoskin threw herself at the ball to claim the goal for herself. Skipp was dumbstruck but managed to plaster on a brave face to congratulate her teammate.

The Badgers went into the break with a nervy 1-0 lead. There was much to improve upon as demonstrated by coach Matt McDonal’s copious notes however Broxbourne returned to the field with a fierce determination to put this local derby to bed.

Gemma Wilkinson returned from her baking commitments this week and slotted seamlessly into the left midfield role. The preseason fitness training had clearly paid off as the veteran charged up the left hand side. She instantly demonstrated stick-blocking prowess by making several driving runs into the D, winning a succession of penalty corners.

It was through a penalty corner that Broxbourne bagged their second goal. After an excellent stick stop by Wilkinson, Emily Wilkins fired the ball home to make the score 2-0.

Wilkins continued to terrorise the Hertford defence with her penetrating runs into the D. Hertford struggled to contain her which was demonstrated when a clattering stick tackle brought her to the ground just outside the D triggering the instant award of a further penalty corner. Good interchanging play at the top of the D between Wills, Wilkins and Wilkinson resulted in Wilkins slapping home to take the lead to 3.

Sophie Darragh found herself out of position on the right wing in a bold move by McDonal however the defender proved her versatility making some excellent runs down the wing to deliver pinpoint accurate balls into the D.
However it was an attack down the left that led to the final goal with a quick break by Stacey, feeding Wilkinson who fired into the D for Hoskin to skilfully deflect, taking her total to 2.

Green was called into action in the final minutes as seasoned defender and captain Lisa Banahan tried to score in her own net. Fortunately Green was alive to it and managed to keep the ball out of the Broxbourne goal but at the expense of a penalty corner. Breaths were held but fortunately Hertford could not convert.

Bragging rights went to Broxbourne with the final score at 4-0 however celebrations were short lived as they now focus their attention on the first league game of the season. Broxbourne take on Chelmsford at Badger Field next week and are hoping for a big turn out from the fans to help them intimidate the Essex natives. Tickets on sale now.