Roseberry Ladies Hockey Club Sunday Invitation League

Stokesley, last season's runners-up, missing the title by two points, started the new campaign in fine form with a 3-1 win against Mackinlay, Becky Tait scoring a hat-trick.

Tait scored her first goal open play and with both teams played exciting hockey it was not too long before Tait scored her second to put Stokesley into a commanding lead at the half time break.

Mackinlay were given a lifeline midway through the second half when they were awarded a penalty comer which was converted with ease by Jean Hyde.

Mackinlay stepped up the attack in the hope of extending their scoring with Mary Dowson having an excellent game for the visitors.

However, Tait completed her first league hat-trick to put the game finally beyond Mackinlay's grasp. Tait was Stokesley's second highest scorer last season with seven goals from ten games and already looks set to improve on her tally.

The awards for the team players of the match were: Ann Weschenfelder, Stokesley and Mary Dowson, Mackinlay

Stockton gained a 1-0 away win over Northallerton. In a strongly-fought first half, with alert defending by Northallerton who managed to withhold the constant attacks by Stockton who had most of the play and controlled a goalless first half. With ten minutes remaining

Northallerton were holding on and the game looked set for a draw but in the closing five minutes Stockton were awarded another penalty corner, the ball was stopped and picked up by Kath Iley who finally broke through Northallerton's tight defence. With only minutes remaining Stockton held on to their advantage to record their first win of the season.

The awards for the team players of the match were: Maureen Heaney, Northallerton and Emma Rennwick, Stockton.

Thirsk were far too strong for Norton, gaining a 7-1 win. Thirks fielded three new players, Georgina Townsend, Becky Potter and 11-year-old Ruth Graham all of whom acquitted themselves well. This, coupled with the welcome return of Karen Skippings, boded well for Thirsk.

Thirsk started full of confidence and soon went ahead through a very combative Lesley Dowell who converted the first of what was to be many penalty, corners.

Norton struggled to provide their forwards with any useful possession with Thirsk taking a commanding hold of the midfield. Most of the Norton attacks were cut out very effectively by an on-form Ellie Blackwell whose presence in the Thirsk defence has become an integral part of their game.

The first half came to a conclusion with Thirsk two ahead, Bev Garner converting yet another penalty corner.

Norton's keeper had a very good first half, keeping goal-hungry Thirsk to only the two goals.

Despite valiant attempts by Norton's defence and their irrepressible keeper, Thirsk ran riot in the second half. Particularly influential were Hannah Rogers and Skippings who dominated midfield, earning Rogers a well deserved player of the match from Norton and Skippings a similar accolade from her own team members. The scoreline moved upwards rapidly, goals coming from Dowell (2) completing a hat trick, Skippings (2) and Rogers.

Norton did manage to score a well-deserved consolation goal.

The awards for the team players of the match were: Hannah Rogers, Thirsk and Denise Collingwood, Norton.

Other results: Barnard Castle 1, Roseberry 2; New Dales 5, Guisborough 0 (Guisborough conceded)