Hockey
Rugby are defeated by late goal

Rugby and East Warwick Ladies 2 Birmingham Uni Ladies 3

Warwickshire League Division One

A LAST gasp goal sentenced Rugby to an agonising defeat on Saturday.

Starting against just nine players, Rugby went ahead through Nikki Siarbawa but Birmingham levelled when back at full strength.

A goal just before the break meant Rugby started the second half behind but they drew level before pushing for what would have been a deserved winner.

As it was, it was Birmingham who struck with ten seconds to go to leave victorious.

THE 2nds were beaten 1-0 by Stratford despite battling hard throughout.

Stratford took an early lead from a short corner, a blow from which Rugby never recovered despite their best efforts.

NADINE Bell’s strike was not enough to save the 3rds from a 2-1 defeat against Leamington 4ths.

Leamington went ahead with a goal deflected in off a Rugby stick before Bell made it 1-1 with a fine goal from a short corner.

Rugby continued to work hard but it was Leamington who grabbed the decisive third goal despite solid defending from Gemma Scales, Elaine Duffin and Leanne Humphries.

THE Mens 2nds got off to the worst possible start against leaders West Bridgford and ended up losing 3-2.

Trailling 2-0 after ten minutes, Rugby pulled one back through Gaz Unett.

Rugby thought they had equalised when Paul Ryan smashed home but the umpire ruled the effort out and West Bridgford took advantage to score a third and secure the victory.

There was also defeat on Sunday when beaten 3-2 at Burton. Once again Rugby found themselves 2-0 behind before Odwell and Morrison got them back on terms.

Burton regained the advantage though and it proved to be a lead they would not relinquish again.

A GOOD performance from the 3rds saw them defeat North Notts 2-0.

Nick Foster crossed for Suraj Tailor to open the scoring in the second half before going from provider to scorer to double the advantage.

JIM Dickinson scored the consolation goal as the 4ths were beaten 2-1 by Leek.

Early pressure came to nothing for Rugby and Leek made them pay when scoring from their first attack.

Dickinson made it 1-1 before half time but Leek snatched the victory with ten minutes left thanks to a fine finish.

A much changed side travelled to Cannock on Sunday and returned with a 2-1 defeat.

The hosts took the lead through a penalty corner and went on to double their advantage from the same format.

Alex Salter scored a stunning goal to get Rugby back into the contest but time ran out before they could salvage a point.

A GOAL in each half gave the 5ths a 2-1 victory against Melton 4ths.

Stuart Chaplin picked up a rebound off the keeper to put Rugby ahead but Melton went in level when a forward latched on to a clearance and fired home.

James Harrison and Harry Robinson both looked threatening in the second half and Rugby’s pressure was rewarded when Chaplin picked up a ball on the right and drew the keeper for Welch to finish coolly.

THE 6ths fell to a 2-1 reverse against Sutton Coldfield in what proved an entertaining encounter.

A number of early chances came and went begging for Rugby and it was Sutton who edged ahead.

A second goal from a short corner put Sutton in control in the second half before Hopkins’ rocket flew in off Snook’s stick to give Rugby hope.

A MUCH changed 7ths team lost 4-2 against Stourport 6ths. Rugby fell 2-0 behind inside 20 minutes but Tom Brindley them hope, halving the deficit before half time.

A strong start to the second half saw Rugby draw level when Ed Pell fired home from a short corner but Sutton scored twice more to take the victory.