Girls' 1st XI v Doncaster HC 1st XI, D4-4

Date:
Saturday 5th September

Venue:
Home on the Waterbased. DE65 6FH. 12.45pm meet for a 1.30pm start.

Team:
Annabelle Church, Sophie Hawkins, Ellie Green (Capt.), Abi Krone, Hannah Parkinson, Shona McCallin, Rebecka Siebert, Jo Leigh, Rhiannon Rogers, Laura Smith, Rebecca Brown, Rosie Johnson (12)

Unavailable - Megan Byas (JRPC Commitments), Wiz Mumby (D.of.E)

Result:
Drew 4 - 4 (Jo Leigh (PC),(F),(F), Laura Smith (PC))

Match Report:
Jo Leigh made a perfect start to her school career by scoring two goals inside the first five minutes. In the opening exchanges, Repton were much the better making good use of possession and pressurising the Doncaster defence well. Jo Leigh's first was a short corner strike and she very quickly followed up with an instinctive, and brave, close-range finish. Soon after the Doncaster goalkeeper was forced to make a number of saves as Rebecka Siebert had two well-struck reverse stick shots saved and Laura Smith was denied after some excellent skill down the base-line.

As the half wore on, Doncaster became much more dominant as they increased the pace of their play. They closed down players more quickly, the pressed much harder and they couter-attacked with real purpose. Repton were pinned in for periods as Doncaster pressed very high up the pitch and although Rhiannon Rogers looked dangerous on the break, Doncaster were well on top. Two goals from Worksop's Holly Brown made things level before half time.

The second half was more evenly balanced. Doncaster scored early on before Jo Leigh completed her debut hat-trick to level things up. Doncaster gifted Repton the fourth goal - a saved short corner was cleared straight to Laura Smith who slotted in to an empty net. The goal was just reward for a fine performance. Doncaster's equalising goal came from an superb deflected finish after a good cross from the right and which, on balance, brought a result which was probably a fair one.

Repton played better hockey when, as a team, they restricted the space for the opposition to play in and when they, as individuals, always expect the ball. It seems an obvious point but it doesn't always happen. On balance, though, this was an excellent start to term. Annabelle Church mades some good saves and clearances and Sophie Hawkins and Abi Krone coped well under pressure particularly in the first half. Rhiannon Rogers showed great energy levels, despite having to play for seventy minutes, as she pressed the Doncaster back-line very intelligently.

Tuesday's match against Loughborough University is now at home at 2pm and not away as published in the calender.