Wilton

Wilton 1st X1 recorded five wins on the bounce, unbeaten in eight to hold second spot in North-East Division One over Christmas.

Newcastle medics were this week's visitors and proved to be tough opposition going ahead through a sweetly struck penalty corner, Wilton had equal possession and aweaving run from Peter Brewer allowed John Tombling to equalise before the break.

The rest of the game was a tale of penalty corners as Medics replied through another, and the Teessiders needed to lift their game. Adam Clarke cleared up a corner for the home team piling the pressure on the Medics. Men of the match Adam Clarke and Danny Morgan won every challenge in the middle of the park inspiring the Wilton players with sheer grit and determination.

It was Peter Brewer who claimed the winner from yet another penalty corner to leave Wilton flying much higher than the Christmas Turkey!

Wilton 2nds put their pre-Christmas hangover behind them on Saturday, after three defeats in two weeks, Wilton needed to bounce back to their early season form against table toppers Newcastle Uni 3rd. Wilton were determined to put on a good display, and started brightly, opening the scoring was young man of the match Scott Russell who ran and ran all game.

Wilton managed a second in quick succession, this time Bob Leason fired home from a well drilled penalty corner. Young Russell turned provider shortly afterwards, he threaded the ball to Johnny Couhig who after rounding two defenders coolly struck home. But Wilton weren't finished there, Mark Whitworth was on hand to score Wilton's fourth with a clever chip over the grounded keeper, all this before the break, the students were stunned.

Wilton continued the onslaught in the second period but were unable to further their scoring, despite being awarded a late penalty flick, the keeper saved well from the usually deadly Alan Larder

Ugly scenes in the scoring circle saw Wilton skipper Mark Nevison given his marching orders, and Newcastle managed to take advantage of the extra man to steal a consolation. But even ex-Wilton player Richard Tunney could do nothing to help his Uni side back into the game and they face the drive home well stuffed.

Wilton 3rd travelled to Newcastle Uni 5th, a daunting prospect for Wilton's young side given their recent run of results, but this week they proved they were no mugs and put on a battling performance which wasn't reflected by the final score, they worked solidly all game helped on by man of the match 'old timer' Paul Jackson who provided a platform for the youngsters to perform, they conceded two unlucky goals but a definite improvement can definitely be seen, hopefully they will return after the Christmas break full of cheer, showing they are definitely not a team of puddings!

Saturday's match was also Wilton ladies last before the Christmas break and was also the 'Plate Final' against Bishop Auckland, played at Sunderland.

Wilton won quite convincingly, playing much better than they have for some weeks. Wilton put together some excellent passing movements giving Bishop no chance getting into the game, they were hardly troubled at the back either, the Wilton defence showed no signs of late night opening! Wilton's strong start saw them go into the break with a three-goal advantage.

In the second half they showed no sign of letting up taking the score to 5-0 at fulltime.

The goals came from Christine Blake (2), Gail Worton, Mel Olvanhill and Sharon Smith.