YATELEY 1, HASLEMERE 3

HASLEMERE Ladies continue to keep pace with leaders Aldershot & Farnham as the Hampshire Women’s League builds up to a thrilling climax.

A&F lead by a single point with two games to go, but Haslemere have an easier run-in on paper.

This Saturday, Haslemere are home to Alton – beaten 10-0 by A&F last weekend – while Aldershot & Farnham have a testing fixture against third-placed Winchester.

It all comes to a head on April 8 when Haslemere entertain A&F in a likely championship decider.

Haslemere will be going for a first ever promotion to the South League. Aldershot & Farnham have been there before.

Officially, only one team goes up, but a league restructuring can never be ruled out in hockey.

Saturday’s tricky game at fifth-placed Yateley began badly for Haslemere as the home side took an early lead with a shot that seemed to be deflected in by a foot.

Haslemere rallied and upped the intensity of their game, passing the ball crisply and winning turn-over ball inside their own half.

This led to a chance falling to Donna Read who, true to recent form, crashed the ball into the far corner for the equaliser.

Haslemere took this momentum into the second half and the pressure mounted on Yateley who conceded a succession of short corners. Izzy Breen converted one, and Haslemere had the lead.

The visitors continued to keep the ball in the attacking 25 and Alice Toynton put the game to bed by scoring the third goal.

Heidi for England

HASLEMERE Hockey Club are delighted to hear that veteran first-teamer Heidi Wells, the club president, has been selected by England Masters. She will play in the Home Nations Championship in Dublin in June and then the European Cup, to be staged in the Netherlands during August.