BEN Rhydding Women have moved up to 4th in the league table following an impressive 3-0 home win over Leicester over the weekend.
A win for either side would have seen them rise into the upper echelons of the division, but it was the hosts who would prevail.
In the early exchanges, Ben Rhydding were able to gain control and from there they managed the game expertly to claim all three points.
Rebecca Birch and Riley Taylor goal put Rhydding 2-0 ahead, and as Swansea pushed hard in the final quarter, Riley added her second and the home side’s third to complete a comfortable victory.
Next up for them is a trip to Buckingham on Saturday.
As for Ben Rhydding’s men’s team, there were involved in a classic Yorkshire derby, but were on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline at home to Doncaster.
With both sides missing key personnel, it was a tense affair, but it was the side from South Yorkshire who gained an early two-goal lead, which led to Ben Rhydding made some tactical adjustments at half-time.
In the second half they found their stride with Jes Notay fizzing a ball into the D which was met by a superb sliding deflection from George Gamble to pull one back.
Not long after, a trademark drag flick slotted by Will Musgrave levelled the scores at 2-2.
As the hosts pushed for a winner, it would be Doncaster who scored in the dying seconds from a much-debated penalty to give the visitors a 3-2 victory.
Rhydding coach, David Birch, commented: "This was a hard one to swallow, but a game that will be used as motivation for future games of that calibre to ensure we come out the other side of those games."
The men now focus on the next game ahead when they travel to Sheffield who are currently unbeaten at home this season.
In other news, Ben Rhydding have confirmed that one of their players has achieved selection for the England Under 16 squad this week.
Ben Pickles has been playing regularly for the 1st team this season and, along with his teammates and family, is delighted with this selection.
Pickles is currently sponsored by his previous 1st team coach, Demy Dowley, who said: "Ben has worked consistently hard to reach the required standard, not just the technical, tactical and physical elements but also the mental and team ship skills needed. I knew he had the potential to be an international player and am so proud of him."
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