Champions finish in style at home

Beaminster 7 Gillingham 1

WHEN champions Beaminster were pitted against the league's bottom team the outcome was fairly assured.

But although Andrea Prentice cracked in a fine goal on eight minutes, Gillingham's telling reply two minutes later raised a few doubts.

For a while, the visitors looked a useful side until Prentice presented Julia Broom with the opportunity to put the hosts back in the lead on 20 minutes and from that moment it was Beaminster all the way.

Hard as Gillingham's well-practised defenders tried to stop the rot, they couldn't halt Prentice increasing the advantage with a super shot into the boards.

Then Broom, helped by Emily Bloxham, made it 4-1 before half time.

Gillingham managed to hold on for 15 minutes at the start of the second half, threatening occasionally, but next it was Bloxham who let rip twice in two minutes with typical solo runs that raised the score to 6-1.

It was champion Beaminster stuff which delighted the spectators and the most thrilling moment came when Prentice fought her way through a tightly packed defence to complete her hat-trick, which will long be remembered by those who witnessed it.

No wonder she received the player of the match award during the champagne celebrations afterwards.

Beaminster: Carrie Wallace, Ruth David, Lydia Finbow, Alice Buttling-Smith, Nikki Wright, Eleanor Wood, Tracey Smith, Claire Mudford, Andrea Prentice, Emily Bloxham, Julia Broom. Umpire: Margaret Martin.

Other results: Ottery Crickets 1 Wimborne Wayfarers 3; Isca Dragons 2 Teignmouth 0