THIRSK Under 12 girls team, on Sunday, won the Yorkshire Youth League giving their mums watching a lovely Mother’s Day present! The girls have been the outstanding team of the league, winning all five tournaments since September. Today’s games saw Thirsk get off to an excellent start beating Driffield 6-0 with goals from Poppy B (2), Tallulah L (3) and playing her first game for the A team, Lucy S. Thirsk then beat Ben Rhydding 3-1 with goals from Molly P, Poppy B and Josie S. A 1-0 win against York was tight, with Poppy B getting the only goal and then a 2-2 draw with a strong Leeds side saw Thirsk drop a point: goals scored by Poppy B and Molly P. Finally, Thirsk beat Rotherham 4-0 with goals from Poppy B (2), Katie R and Molly P.

There were also some outstanding performances from Nahia C in defence, Emelia R in goal and Violet M. The best goal of the day was scored by three players changing positions. Josie played a fantastic pass out wide to Violet, who went around the back before passing to Lucy who slotted home. Simple hockey! The girls will be competing in the Yorkshire In2Hockey final next week before travelling overseas to Holland for a European Hockey Festival over Easter weekend. Good luck to them all.

Mens 2nds v Harrogate 4ths Saturday 10th March

5 games left and the 2nds are firmly in the relegation zone needing points and fast. As usual the team started slowly with Harrogate dominating possession, moving the ball around the pitch with thirsk chasing shadows, and duly taking the lead. However once the new centre mid Hunt father son combination worked out who to mark, thirsk started to create their own opportunities. A hopeful lob from halfway into the opposition D was touched by Joseph Shannon past the on rushing keeper for his first and a second soon followed. Sam was still busy in goal and disaster struck at a short corner: the keeper having made the save, Phil creamed the ball clear only to find Crute's forehead at about knee height after slipping at the top of the D. Hospital required and Thirsk down to 11. Against the run of play, Thirsk conceded an equaliser just before half time and the lead shortly afterwards. However, worse was to come as a ball flicked up during a 50/50 tackle into Andy Young's face splitting the skin above and below the bridge of the nose. Down to 10. Then Don Petty stopped a fast flick from short corner with his forehead, just above the mask. Down to 9. Harrogate scored the resultant flick and added 2 more. Overall loss 2-6 after a really even first half. Good use made of Harrogate's first aid kit.

Mens 2nds v Ben Rhydding 3rds Sunday 11th March

After the disappointment of Saturday and the loss of Crute presumably on his nurse's orders, the other 2 head injuries duly turned up for duty with 10 other soldiers equipped with a first aid kit and alternative set of masks. Still desperately needing points to escape from relegation, the team dispensed with its usual charity and started brightly. However, Ben Rhydding took each of 2 chances against the run of play. Even a blatant foot on the line only resulted in a short corner for Thirsk. Another short corner was awarded as half time whistle was blown and from this one, Booth squeezed a flick inside the post to change the momentum of the game. Wise words from Bruffy, Booth and Lane at half time. Thirsk started the second half dominant with Booth adding a carbon copy goal and adding another short corner goal after a little ping pong in the D with Bruffy. Jake and Joseph also added one each for a comfortable win as we kept possession and moved the ball as effectively as we have all season. Sean had his best game of the season and Phil was often used as the outlet from right back. No short corners conceded. No head injuries. Final score 5-2. 3 points.

Men’s 3rds v Bingley Bees

The team on Sunday featured Andy Watson in goal; Mike Rushmere, Michael Crampton, Joseph Shannon and Ken Shannon in defence; Matty Rayner, Owen Williams, Liam Shannon and Conner Wilkinson in midfield; Jonathan Craske and Alex Kennedy in attack. The subs were George Hall, Callum Crisp, Hugo Merchie and Arthur Webster-Jones. It would be easy to be negative after the first half being 4-0 down. After the break Thirsk came out with more confidence, the young players in the team showed that there is real hope for next season. Arthur, Callum, Matty and Conner all played out of their skins and were rarely out of the Bingley half. Liam, Jonathan and Alex (unlike in the first half) made inroads into the Bingley defence. Liam got the ball to Alex in the D, and Alex pushed it past the keeper. Despite winning 5 short corners late on, the game ended 7 -1 to Bingley.