21st May 2007
Howardian Ladies take Women’s National Indoor title
Cardiff based club, Howardian took the honours in the rearranged Women’s National Indoor tournament played at Caerleon. Howard’s overcame a determined challenge from the holders – Penarth - to book their place in next season's Eurohockey Challenge to be held in Turkey.

Following the postponement of this tournament from February, the top four teams from the Indoor league played off to see who would represent Wales in the EuroHockey indoor tournament in Turkey in 2008.

The first semi-final pitted league winners Howardian against 4th place Cardiff Athletic. Athletic took the lead through Maree Thomas but two quick goals from ‘Howard’s’ Emma Winch saw them turn round the stronger team. Despite Athletic coming close on a number of occasions Hannah John further extended their lead and a late goal from Winch saw her complete her hat-trick to leave Dave Roberts ‘Pink’ team winners 4-1.

The second semi final saw the holders, Penarth play Dowlais who had finished the league in 2nd place. After squandering a number of penalty corners, Penarth eventually made one count when Bridgit Radice flicked the ball home. A penalty stroke, awarded for a stick hook was duly dispatched by Sian Baldwin and a further goal from Bronia Bendall left Penarth comfortably in control at 3-0 at half time. Dowlais upped their game after the break but it was not until 8 minutes from the end that Janine Thomas scored the only goal in the second half to leave Penarth winners 3-1.

In the 3rd/4th place play-off Cardiff Athletic continually took the lead, only to be pegged back each time. Jo Howell scored all 4 Athletic goals with Dowlais not taking the lead until Mary Owen came off the bench to score twice in the 34th minute. A further penalty corner from Owen in the last minute cemented Dowlais’ third place 6-4.

The final between last years finalists Penarth and Howardian was always going to be a close affair with the teams knowing each other so well although Howardian started by far the stronger and were two up within 7 minutes through goals by Rachel Fido and Emma Winch. Penarth’s short corner routine was not having the best of days and despite Bridgit Radice pulling a goal back, Howard’s Charlie Robbins and Sarah Narramore (penalty corner) saw the league winners take a 4-1 lead into the second half. Penarth started to put some pressure on the opposition defence and narrowed the deficit to one goal after two more strikes by Radice. However Howardian’s day was not going to be spoiled and another penalty corner from Winch saw them home 5-3.

Photos: (top) Howardian LHC; (middle) Penarth LHC; (lower) Emma Winch receiving the Cup.

Results

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