Week One

Maxifuel Super Sixes Championship – Division One

CHELMSFORD produced some attractive and flowing hockey at this first weekend of two at the Division One championships, but failed to register points on the Board in any of their four matches.

Starting with an open and entertaining match against Brooklands Poynton, Chelmsford worked hard to take a 2-1 lead into half time through a couple of excellent short corner strikes from Hayley Heggie. Some defensive lapses in the second half allowed the Manchester side to steal a 3-2 win.

The second match saw Chelmsford start well against Wakefield Bradford and open play goals from Louisa Taylor and Kate Taylor again took Chelmsford into half time with a 2-1 lead. In a battling second half Wakefield took the score to 4-2 but Chelmsford kept working and a further goal from Hayley Heggie brought the Essex club very much back into the game at 4-3.

In the dying seconds another close range attempt on goal from Heggie had beaten the goalkeeper but a goal-line clearance from a Wakefield defended denied Chelmsford what was a deserved point.

Against a spirited performance from Firebrands, Chelmsford struggled to get shots on target and conceded a couple of goals in the first half. A soft goal was further conceded in the opening minutes of the second half but Chelmsford rallied and produced some coherent teamwork and attacking hockey throughout the second half. But again Chelmsford lacked the finishing touch and the match concluded with a 3-0 win for Firebrands.

The final match of this weekend was against local rivals Ipswich. This was a game where everything Ipswich tried, worked, and they scored goals from well executed short corners and open play.

Deep into the second half Ipswich had a 9-0 lead but Chelmsford kept playing hockey and secured a late consolation goal.

Scorers: Hayley Heggie (4), Louisa Taylor, Kate Taylor

Cards: Louisa Taylor (1 green), Hayley Heggie (1 yellow)

Week 2

CHELMSFORD endured a testing and disappointing Indoor programme this year and following defeats in all their games are relegated to the Maxifuel Women’s Division Two South next season. This second weekend of the tournament saw Chelmsford work hard, battle through each match and produce some excellent hockey. But the ability to get the finishing touch in place eluded Chelmsford, having scored only nine goals in all games.

Although the results were not pretty, much can be taken from the tournament with many of the younger members of the squad gaining valuable experience in the tactics and pace of the game.

Chelmsford’s team coach, Kathryn Macdonald, expressed admiration and satisfaction with the level of effort and perseverance of the whole squad and cited Hayley Heggie’s inspirational performance as captain and leading goal scorer as the foundation for preparation for next year.

In the first weekend Chelmsford lost a couple of games only by the odd goal but when the tide of goals against increased it became difficult to stay positive and drive forward. Despite this the players kept up the intensity of their efforts and never dropped their commitment to playing good hockey and trying to press through.

We shall look forward to next year’s Division Two tournament with clear agenda of seeking promotion back to Division One and capitalise on the excellent experience gained this year.

Scorers: Julia Butterworth, Hayley Heggie (2).