OLTON & West Warwick’s ladies remain unbeaten following a 1-1 draw at Leeds in Investec Women’s Hockey League Division One North.
In their third match at this level, Olton faced a Leeds side who they previously met in last season’s play-offs, although they were given a considerably more difficult task than the 4-0 win back in April.
Sally Walford’s fourth-minute penalty stroke gave the visitors the perfect start but, unlike the previous encounter, the floodgates did not open.
Leeds battled on, but while they created plenty of chances, their lack of clinical finishing meant Olton remained in front at half-time.
The hosts eventually levelled 12 minutes from time from a penalty corner after sustained pressure.
Although both sides played for the winning goal, it did not arrive, leaving Olton with a second away draw in as many weeks.
Residing in fourth place, Olton ladies welcome second-bottom side Brooklands Poynton to Grange Road on Saturday (noon).
In Men’s Division One North, Olton & WW edged out University of Birmingham 3-2 for their second win of the season.
Experience had the upper hand over youth in this particular encounter, with only 13 minutes on the clock when Olton went in front through Peter Jackson’s penalty-corner strike.
Three minutes later, however, the scores were level from an open-play goal.
While not playing particularly well, Olton still had the better chances over the student team, as the sides went in level at the break.
University of Birmingham scored from a penalty corner of their own to go in front for the first time in the 49th minute, although Olton’s resolve was rewarded with an equaliser from Stuart Pilgrim eight minutes later.
The goal set up for a tense finale, one which was settled with yet another penalty-corner goal from Jackson to secure a hard-fought three points.
Olton & West Warwicks men’s side sit fourth and visit second-placed Bowden on Sunday (2.30pm).
A LACK of quality in the final third proved costly for Solihull Blossomfield in a second defeat in two games.
The 6-2 defeat away at Market Drayton Seconds in West Midlands Premier Division was a much-closer affair than the scoreline suggested, despite Bloss having to chase the game for most of the encounter.
After dominating the opening ten minutes, Solihull went behind against the run of play and later conceded a further two.
Nisar Chaudhry pulled one back for the visitors before half-time, but a fourth goal after the restart restored the two-goal cushion.
Jack Perrin reduced the deficit to a single goal midway through the half, although his efforts were ultimately in vain after Market Drayton scored two further goals to end the game.
Blossomfield host Barford Tigers Seconds on Saturday (1.30pm).
Blossomfield Seconds let a three-goal lead slip in a 3-3 draw against West Bromwich Seconds.
Andy Rice, Harry Mowat and Christian Gregory gave Bloss a comfortable lead in the South West Division One clash but it was relinquished following three second-half goals from the visitors.
Leek Ladies got the better of Blossomfield ladies’ first team in a 3-2 defeat in Midlands Division One.
Sam Grew put Bloss in front in the first half, until the hosts struck twice in five minutes to lead.
A third goal was conceded, rendering Emily Perrin’s strike a mere consolation.
Hampton claimed a 3-0 win against Blossomfield ladies’ second string in Warwickshire Women’s Hockey League Division One, leaving Bloss second bottom.
Meanwhile, Blossomfield Thirds beat Nuneaton Thirds 2-0 courtesy of Jo Hine’s brace to make it five wins from five at the top of Division Four.
