Ben Cook's up a crucial winner
Newbury and Thatcham Hockey Club endured a difficult weekend, losing seven of their 11 matches.
One of the heaviest defeats befell the men’s first team, who were thumped 5-1 by Marlow 2nd.
Christian Randall’s second of the season was little comfort to Newbury, who were comprehensively beaten and leapfrogged by their opponents in the South Central Men’s Division One North table.
There was better news for the men’s second team, who won for the first time since November, beating Henley 2nd 2-1.
Ben Cook and Cameron Dunlop were on target for the visitors, who picked up a much-needed win and move up to ninth in the South Central Men’s Division Two North table.
Meanwhile, Ben Grindley scored a hat-trick as the men’s third team hit five past Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead 2nd to make it six wins in their last seven.
Francois Kilian scored his sixth of the season and Ed Langdon completed the rout as the home side ran out 5-2 winners, leaving them third in the South Central Men’s Division Four North table.
The men’s fifth team made it back to back South Central Men’s Division Two Thames wins for the first time this season thanks to a 2-1 win over Reading 2nd.
Newbury went behind early on but equalised when Paul Fowler’s shot deflected into the path of Christian Somerville, who scored his third goal in five games.
Oliver Butler made some fine saves to keep the scores level before Archie Wood picked out Seth Smit, who fired home a second to win the game for the plucky visitors.
The women’s first team suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at South Central Women’s Division One North bottom side Aylesbury while Mary Cavanagh’s 12th goal of the season was unable to prevent the second team from falling to a 3-1 defeat at home to South Central Women’s Division One Thames leaders Reading 5th.
The women’s fourth team were the one ladies side to pick up three points, thumping South Central Women’s Division Three Thames leaders Windsor 3rd 4-0.
Caroline Nicoll bagged a brace while there was a goal each for Tegan Murray and Yasmin Mateus, who hit double figures for the season as the ladies made it seven wins in a row and nine in their last 10.
