WOMEN'S INDOOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009/10
Saturday 30th January 2010, Rhydycar Leisure Centre
Howardian LHC - Champions
Howardian maintained their grip on the Indoor Championship in winning all their matches. However it was not as clear cut as it might seem as results definately went against the recent form book.
S Wales winners Dowlais came unstuck in their first match against Penarth with the 'Seasiders' Captain Medi James and stalwart Kirsten Tedder both scoring a brace. With Dowlais managing just one late goal in reply through Serian Ganesh, Rachel Atwell completed the victory in the final minute.
With Dowlais expected to be the team to challenge holders Howardian this result took some of the pressure off the 'Pinks'. Although they took time to get into their stride against Bridgend, when they scored their 2nd just before the break the final result was never in doubt and they ran out comfortable 5-0 winners with goals from Maree Thomas, Emma Keen, Elise Rafferty, Sarah Narramore and Michelle Daltry.
Dowlais needed to win their next game against Bridgend to have any chance of challenging Howardians but two goals from Jo Poupon and Lucy Davies in the first 10' followed by a brace from Emma Winch enabled them to run out 4-2 winners, Suzanne Jones and Serian Ganesh scoring in reply.
The next match between Penarth and Howardian could well have proved to be the 'final' particularly as the Penarth squad was strengthened by 4 players returning from an outdoor league fixture and after Donna Williams put them ahead one wondered if an upset was on the cards. However with a number of 'Howard's' having the recent experience of playing in the EuroHockey Nations Indoor tournament two goals in 2 minutes though Annie Petherick and Becky Fleck steadied the ship. Daltry and Thomas completed the holders scoring before Atwell scored a late consolation goal.
In the penultimate match of the Champiomship, Penarth took a 3-0 lead in the first 10' through James, Tedder and Naomi Edwards. However, Bridgend's Emma Winch took the game into her own hands and scored 4 times, including 3 in just 4 minutes and together with a goal from Kate Nicholson eased them home 5-3.
In the final match, the title was Howardian's to lose and although they took an 14' lead through Petherick, Dowlais found some of their earlier season form in replying twice through Janine Thomas and Suzanne Jones - a lead they held until well into the second half. Petherick however led Howardian's front line well and scored 5 times which together with a single from Emma Keen enabled Howard's to retain their title and qualify for Europe next season.
John Turton - WHU Director - paid tribute to all the squads in his presentation speech and wished Howardians well in their forthcoming trip to Galway (IRL) in this season's EuroHockey tournament. Thanks were offered to the event organiser Anne Mullin as well as the umpires Karen Evans, Dino Willox, Linda Treharne and newly appointed FIH Indoor umpire Cathy Jones.
Bridgend LHC v Penarth LHC
Howardian LHC on the attack
Results
| 10:10 | Dowlais | 1 | Penarth | 5 | |
| 11:10 | Howardian | 5 | Bridgend | 0 | |
| 12:15 | Dowlais | 2 | Bridgend | 4 | |
| 13:10 | Penarth | 2 | Howardian | 4 | |
| 14:15 | Penarth | 3 | Bridgend | 5 | |
| 15:10 | Dowlais | 2 | Howardian | 6 | |
Final positions
1st Howardian (Qualify for EuroHockey Indoor 2010/11)
2nd Bridgend
3rd Penarth
4th Dowlais