REDDITCH Hockey Club’s respective teams endured mixed results whilst four of the club’s junior teams took part in mini tournaments.

The men’s first team beat Olton and West Warwickshire 3rds whilst the second team suffered defeat at Kingswinford 2nds and the third team eased past Sutton Coldfield 7ths.

Elsewhere, the women’s first team lost to University of Birmingham 5ths, the second team drew with Kings Heath 2nds and the Badgers were beaten by Droitwich despite a superb goalkeeping display from Harry Brookes.

The club also saw two under-12 and under-14 teams take part in a Worcestershire Mini Tournament.

RESULTS

Kingswinford 2nds 5-2 Redditch men’s 2nds

Redditch were hoping to build on their dominant performance against Kings Heath last weekend but found themselves three goals behind early on as the home side came flying out of the blocks.

The visitors regrouped and took control of the game as Richard Sellors’s shot deflected in from a short corner to reduce the deficit.

And the goal appeared to rejuvenate Redditch, who played with increased confidence and intensity, as youngsters Eathan Wedgbury, Elliot Ford, Riley Oxenbury and Harry Gwyer linked up well on several occasions to create numerous chances which the team were unable to take.

The second half was played at the same intensity as the first as Lee Beedon struck to close the gap to a single goal before Kingswinford showed their quality to pull clear and secure the win.

Redditch are next in action against top-of-the-league City of Birmingham 1sts in what looks set to be a tough fixture.

Redditch men’s 3rds 4-1 Sutton Coldfield 7ths

The men’s third team avenged their narrow defeat to Sutton earlier in the season as Leo Jones and Mark Gosnell were named in the lineup after Chris Young and Elliot Ford made the step up to the second team.

Redditch were unable to capitalise on some early penalty corners before Miller Glen notched his 15th goal of the season to put the home team ahead with a penalty stroke after a Sutton defender stopped the ball on the line with his foot.

However, Sutton drew level in the second half, following a 15-minute spell of dominance, only for Glen to score his second of the game after a scramble in the D.

And Redditch eventually sealed the win as Gosnell struck from a penalty corner which deflected in off the keeper and Ben McFarland completed the scoring when he swept the ball home at the back post.

Kings Heath women’s 2nds 1-1 Redditch women’s 2nds

Redditch women’s second team were left frustrated after they were held to a draw by bottom of the table Kings Heath.

The visitors spent the majority of the game camped in the Kings Heath half as the home side defended valiantly much to the frustration of the Redditch attackers.

And despite Redditch taking the lead through Frankie Griffiths’s goal, who produced some clever footwork before slotting home, Kings Heath levelled shortly after from a questionable short corner.

Droitwich Badgers 2-0 Redditch Badgers

Redditch Badgers’ goalkeeper with his player of the match award.

Redditch Badgers were without six of their regular players who were either away or made the step up to the senior teams.

The game was played in 15-minute quarters as Droitwich started at a frenetic pace and almost caught Redditch off guard with the first attack of the match only for Harry Brookes to make a strong save.

However, the attacks kept on coming as striker-turned-goalkeeper Brookes was called upon to make several more saves before Droitwich eventually broke the deadlock.

Redditch tweaked their system in the second quarter to try and take some pressure of their defence as both teams struggled to create a clear-cut chance of any note.

Droitwich doubled their lead shortly before the final quarter with a quick counter attack to settle the game but the Badgers can hold their heads high as players worked hard despite taking on new and unfamiliar roles without complaint for the benefit of the team.

Brookes earned the players’ player of the match award for an outstanding display in goal whilst Hugo Hook and Ella Bourne made their debuts and Hayden Bourne shone on the wing.

Elsewhere, Redditch’s men’s first team beat Olton and West Warwickshire 3rds 2-1 whilst the women’s first team suffered an 8-1 defeat against University of Birmingham 5ths.

Redditch’s under-12’s and under-14’s took part in their monthly Worcestershire Mini Tournaments as they competed against local teams from the surrounding area.

The club entered two teams at each age group as Redditch approached their home tournament with their usual enthusiasm and dedication.

A lot of exciting hockey was played with some excellent team goals scored along with flashes of individual brilliance, resilient defending and some fantastic saves from the club’s two young under-10 goalkeepers.