Saturday ECVH 1s played Mendip 1s in what can only be described as not our best performance. The first half stayed 0-0 for the majority being end to end. Mendip managed to secure one just before half time. This made Hornets persistent to equalise which they did from a drill into the D by Carly Veale and Kate Baker scoring from the rebound.

However, this draw did not last long as Mendip came back and scored three in quick succession.

Hornets meet Dart in a friendly next week, which will be played in complete seriousness being dressed as a Turkey, a Donkey and Jesus to name a few. They begin back after Christmas playign the Mens 3s and Marjons in a cup game before restarting the league and hoping to go up the league table.

On the back of a fantastic team performance last week Hornets came out with a sting in their tail and smashed 5 past Nailsea. Hornets took the challenge of playing on a rubber crumb pitch for the 1st time in their stride. They started as they meant to go on, with dynamic playing and lots of off the ball movement.

Hornets quickly found the back of the net. A superb ball from Karen Tinley found Kate Baker, who's amazing run beat several players. Two further quick goals from Louisa Squire and Deryn Spencer gave Hornets the up and they totally took charge of the game.

The defence of Tapp, Veale, Tinley and Newcombe were unbeatable and good team play lead to Hornets 4th goal scored by Alice Daymond. With time running down Hornets were awarded a penalty corner which Tinley duly dispatched to the bottom corner. From the restart Hornets pushed forward and again made the defence make mistakes. Tinley made them pay again with another goal from a penalty corner, only to be controversially denied due to a previous passage of play.

Another good afternoon's hockey from the Hornets.

On Saturday ECVH ladies 1’s played Firebrand’s 3’s, a well-known, domineering Bristol side. Knowing a hard game was in store Hornets were fired up to dominate the game, which they did.

Hornets came out hard and secured a penalty corner in the first half, which was converted by Kate Baker from a deflection off the keeper. The score remained until the second half with Firebrand’s attempting to equalise unsuccessfully, held strong by Hornets’ defence.

Hornets stepped up further in the second half, emphasising the highly skilled, text book interlinking play. This was rewarded with a goal by Derryn Spencer from an impressive one-two play. This was followed by a goal from Carly Veale from a straight strike from a penalty corner. Continuing good play allowed defending Karen Tinley to break higher up field and feed to the attack. With 15 minutes to go, Firebrand’s had a rare break which was saved on the line by Laura Newcombe backed up by Jolene Spencer. With a minute to go there was an attack by Hornets up the right hand side of the field to allow Kate Baker to progress along the back line and score from a deflection off the defence.

This was a good all-around team performance which was reflected in the three way split man of the match between Karen Tinley, Kate Baker and Carly Veale. This game showed Hornets at their best and is how we aspire to play out the rest of the season and hold our now fourth position in the league.

After the disappointment of losing to Bridgwater last week 1-0 and being the better team, Hornets came back with a sting to beat Shepton Mallet 3-1. It was end to end play in the first half with missed chances for both sides but remained 0-0. Playing against European international defenders made attacking challenging but Hornets managed to find the gaps. Rebecca Maltby stepped up to the mark scoring 2. The first goal coming from a short corner and the second from an outstanding solo run from the defending 25. Kate Baker scored the other goal with a pass across goal from Deryn Spencer. None of this would have been achievable without excellent defenders and saves from goalie Jolene Spencer. It was an all around good team performance.

On Saturday Hornets played their first league away game to Old Bristolians. This was the first time the teams had met and neither knew what to expect. There was promising play from the outset by both teams with quick balls and good movement. This gave Hornets the upper hand, however they were unable to convert most of their chances.

In the first half Old Bristolians scored from their only shot on goal with a cracking strike unfortunately beating our keeper on her near post. In the second half again Hornets dominated, making the Old Bristolians keeper work hard. We were still unable to convert until an amazing solo run by Alice Daymond. She beat several players to slip it under the advancing keeper.

It was a much improved team from last weeks defeat, with the team playing as a whole and some great interacting play. The game ended 1-1. Hornets are looking forward to next weeks home game against Bridgwater.

It was a game of some really promising play and then some not so promising. White Eagles being our home rivals always makes for a tough game both physically and mentally. Our goal came from a cross in front of the keeper to allow Becky Maltby to tap it in. A large number of penalty corners was secured by Hornets however, we were unable to convert them.

This game, being the first in the league, has highlighted areas for improvement and strengths that are already being shown within the newly formed team. With only six of the squad remaining from last year it was always going to take a few games to get into our stride. However, we still hope to achieve our aim at finish near the top of the table.

The last of the pre season friendly games has shown a promising start to a season in a new league. ECVH have moved across to the ladies Central League in which they hope to finish high in the table.

The game began riding with positive spirits from a win the previous week against Dart. A lapse of concentration in the first five minutes by Hornets gave Vale the opportunity to take the first goal. After this, ECVH gathered themselves to work as a unit, connecting well with interlocking passes. First half possession was dominated by Hornets which paid off with a goal coming early into the second half with a goal by Karen Tinley from a well constructed penalty corner. The competitive nature and passion of the players was highlighted at times in the game. The draw remained until thirty seconds from full time when hornets managed to equalise with a goal from Deryn Spencer. The score line and play shows positive hope for the season.