Buccs Ladies win right to play in Indoor National League
Team Bath Buccaneers Ladies won the West Indoor tournament at the weekend to qualify to play in the Women’s Indoor England Hockey League for the first time.
It means Buccs are one of just a handful of clubs to have men’s and ladies’ teams playing in both the England Hockey League outdoor and indoor leagues.
Buccs were handed a walkover against West Wilts for their first game in Saturday’s competition at the University of Bath and then drew 0-0 with indoor specialists Teignmouth.
Taunton Vale, who won the tournament two years ago, were next up and continuous solid defending from defensive quartet Rachel Jackson, Rachel Clarke, Zoe Shipperley and Janet Gubbin, goalkeeping from Vicki Green and a goal from Mary Douglas half way through gave Buccs a 1-0 victory.
Buccs only needed a draw against Cheltenham, another handy indoor team, to qualify for the semi-finals but were not content to sit back instead playing their best hockey so far, linking well up front to win 3-1 with goals coming from Douglas, Heidi Baber and Joey Slade.
Buccs’ were rewarded with Firebrands as their opponents in the semis, where Slade bagged her second of the day to give Buccs passage to the final against former National League side Lansdown.
Lansdown took an early lead and despite many balls forward, Buccs didn’t create many opportunities in the first half. They put this right by earning a penalty flick early on in the second half, which Jess Cremin confidently slotted away.
Three minutes from time Heidi Baber and Katharine Cooper linked up well on a breakaway with Cooper winning a short corner. Shipperley stood up to the challenge and gave Buccs the lead. What seemed like a very long three minutes for Buccs ensued with Buccs defending a handful of short corners including one on the final whistle before they could celebrate victory.
Buccs can be proud that they beat off such tough and experienced competition and now hope to do well in the EHL Division 2 South, which will be held at Whitgift School in Croydon in January 2010. The top three teams progress to Division 2 at Lilleshall later in January.
TeamBath Buccaneers squad: Heidi Baber, Rachel Clarke, Katharine Cooper (capt), Jess Cremin, Mary Douglas (captain), Vicki Green (GK), Janet Gubbin, Rachel Jackson, Zoe Shipperley, Joey Slade and Harriet Stratton (GK).
The University of Bath has one of the leading university sports departments in the UK. Under its TeamBath brand, its success is based on the expertise and dedication of staff, and its excellent facilities, used by the community and Olympic medal winners alike.
Members of the media who require further information can contact the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 383518 or 01225 443998 or see the Team Bath website at
TeamBath Buccaneers Ladies won the West Indoor tournament at the weekend to qualify to play in the Women’s Indoor England Hockey League for the first time.
It means Buccs are one of just a handful of clubs to have men’s and ladies’ teams playing in both the England Hockey League outdoor and indoor leagues.
Buccs were handed a walkover against West Wilts for their first game in Saturday’s competition at the University of Bath and then drew 0-0 with indoor specialists Teignmouth.
Taunton Vale, who won the tournament two years ago, were next up and continuous solid defending from defensive quartet Rachel Jackson, Rachel Clarke, Zoe Shipperley and Janet Gubbin, goalkeeping from Vicki Green and a goal from Mary Douglas half way through gave Buccs a 1-0 victory.
Buccs only needed a draw against Cheltenham, another handy indoor team, to qualify for the semi-finals but were not content to sit back instead playing their best hockey so far, linking well up front to win 3-1 with goals coming from Douglas, Heidi Baber and Joey Slade.
Buccs’ were rewarded with Firebrands as their opponents in the semis, where Slade bagged her second of the day to give Buccs passage to the final against former National League side Lansdown.
Lansdown took an early lead and despite many balls forward, Buccs didn’t create many opportunities in the first half. They put this right by earning a penalty flick early on in the second half, which Jess Cremin confidently slotted away.
Three minutes from time Heidi Baber and Katharine Cooper linked up well on a breakaway with Cooper winning a short corner. Shipperley stood up to the challenge and gave Buccs the lead. What seemed like a very long three minutes for Buccs ensued with Buccs defending a handful of short corners including one on the final whistle before they could celebrate victory.
Buccs can be proud that they beat off such tough and experienced competition and now hope to do well in the EHL Division 2 South, which will be held at Whitgift School in Croydon in January 2010. The top three teams progress to Division 2 at Lilleshall later in January.
TeamBath Buccaneers squad: Heidi Baber, Rachel Clarke, Katharine Cooper (capt), Jess Cremin, Mary Douglas (captain), Vicki Green (GK), Janet Gubbin, Rachel Jackson, Zoe Shipperley, Joey Slade and Harriet Stratton (GK).
The University of Bath has one of the leading university sports departments in the UK. Under its Team Bath brand, its success is based on the expertise and dedication of staff, and its excellent facilities, used by the community and Olympic medal winners alike.
Members of the media who require further information can contact the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 383518 or 01225 443998 or see the Team Bath website.
