HOCKEY: Oxford Hockey Club Ladies fell 4-2 to Oxford University as the sides returned to league action with a derby on Saturday at Iffley Road.
Both teams had periods of pressure at the start of the first half, with Oxford HC attacking strongly down the left through Catherine Reaney and Kim Haynes. The visitors broke the deadlock on 15 minutes with a deflected strike, but Oxford HC drew level winning a penalty corner that Caro Harris converted with a straight strike on goal.
But before the interval Oxford Uni broke again, and 'keeper Phil Swindell was beaten in a one-on-one as the visitors went in at the break ahead. Oxford HC started the second half well with attacks down the right from Becky Hibbert and Hie Sawyer putting pressure on the Uni defence. But despite their resilience, Oxford Uni then made it 3-1 from a penalty corner strike.
Not to be deterred, Oxford HC moved forward and five minutes later Caitlin Bailey-Williams turned smartly at the top of the D to lay the ball off to Catherine Reaney who coolly found the back of the net. But Oxford Uni gained the decisive upper hand in an end-to-end match when a strong cross from the right was converted on the slide to wrap up the points in South 2.
Oxford HC 2nds were also on the losing side, going down 3-0 at home to PHC Chiswick. A lack of concentration in the first few minutes saw Oxford gift the visitors the opening goal.
The team rallied and had the better of the possession in the first half, although Katie Smith in the Oxford defence was called on to make a fine goal-line save. In the second half, another error led to the second Chiswick goal, and the visitors sealed the win by adding a third in the last 10 minutes.
