Anna’s star debut for fifths

North Down Ladies 5ths took on Saintfield 3rds at Regent on Saturday with a much changed squad from last week. Having 16 available players no less!

This meant much rotating throughout the match, but most were more than glad of a wee breather as the match was played at quite a fast pace.

Making their debuts this week for North Down were Anna Carvill in goals, who although only 15 played like she had been in the Ulster team for 25 years and deservedly got player of the match and Caroline Boots who said she played defence, but in true North Down fashion we then moved her to right mid and she played a blinder!

Saintfield played some lovely hockey in the first half and North Down looked a bit unsettled, but the rotating defence of captain Maxine Taylor, Ruby Donaldson, Beverley Brittain, Ann McBride , KB and Karen Clarke, somehow managed to keep Saintfield out after they had a dozen short corners – anytime it came near the goal, Anna Carvill was there to stop it!

It was super to have Rachel Bogie back from University, it is part of life that we lose players to University, but they all seem to come back – that certainly shows what a great, friendly club we are. Rachel was super in midfield, liaising well with Freya Wasson , who unfortunately had to go at half time, and the other rotating midfielders , Kathy and Sarah Taylor and of course Karen Clarke took a turn as left mid.

It was very hard to penetrate the Saintfield half but eventually the sheer determination and true grit of Marion Sanderson and the other forwards Ruby Bond, Isobel Oldham and Kate McClughan got the ball into the Saintfield circle but the Saintfield keeper kept the final score at 0-0.

Burch autos Player of the Match was Anna Carvill.