Beaminster close in on title

Beaminster 4 Swanage and Wareham 2

BEAMINSTER edged within one-win of the championship after this vitally important match, which was fraught with tension.

The home side set to work with such admirable dexterity that the result looked safe, yet within 13 minutes they were two goals down.

A rugged Swanage team forced a couple of penalty corners that, albeit fortunately, yielded valuable goals.

But Beaminster retained their composure as Emily Bloxham, spearheading the attack, entered a purple patch.

She slammed in a fierce first time shot from a penalty corner, then levelled the scores just before half time with a typically brilliant solo run.

Five minutes into the second half, player of the match Bloxham completed her hat-trick from another corner to grab the lead and highlight Beaminster's superiority that lasted for the remainder of the match.

Only rarely did the Swans look menacing against defenders Emma Gardiner, Lydia Finbow and keeper Carrie Wallace.

Indeed all the Beaminster squad was thinking, passing and striking with such finesse as to make them almost invulnerable.

Gardiner flicked in a neat penalty shot eight minutes from time to give them a 10 point gap at the top of the table.

Beaminster: Wallace, David, Finbow, Gardiner, Butlling-Smith, Wright, Wood, Chadney, Smith, Mudford, Prentice, Bloxham, Broom. Umpires: Margaret Martin and Sue Walsh.

Other results: Wimborne Wayfarers 1 Weymouth 3; Bournemouth 2nds 3 Isca Dragons 3rds 2; Ottery Crickets 4 Gillingham 2