IT was a fantastic weekend for Ben Rhydding Hockey Club as both the men’s and women’s teams secured their first victories of the season.

For the women, they claimed their first three points and clean sheet as they hosted West Yorkshire rivals Wakefield in a fiery but friendly encounter in EHL Division One North.

Wakefield had the earliest of the chances, but Rhydding soon settled in to the game, building pressure through the midfield pivot of Jess Purvis and Lizzie Gibbins.

The pressure soon converted in to a succession of short corners. Sophie Davies was unlucky not tip the ball in, with the ball saved by an outstretched defender on the line.

It was at the next short corner when a penalty stroke was awarded, as a powerful deflection from Meg Roberts was illegally stopped on the line by a Wakefield foot. Jodie Bridger converted, and Rhydding took a deserved lead after just nine minutes.

In the second quarter, Rhydding soaked up a period of pressure from Wakefield. Captain Kirsty Goodbold commanded the defensive unit, and tireless defending from Tiana Nhamoinesu and Sarah Clarke took the sting out of any Wakefield threat.

Chances continued to fall for Rhydding in the third quarter, with Rafa Brandao-Lee and Clarke coming close.

The final quarter was tense for both sides. Wakefield pushed players forward and forced a fabulous quadruple save from Charlotte Smith in goal, that without doubt kept Rhydding in the lead.

Rhydding continued to put Wakefield under pressure. In the final minute of the game thanks to intense pressing from forwards Roberts and youngster Rita Box, Box won the ball high up the pitch. And with the coolest head on the pitch, she beat the last defender and rounded the goalkeeper to score her second National League Goal.

The win takes Rhydding to fourth in the league, and the performance provides great momentum for this week’s fixture away to newly promoted Repton.

Ben Rhydding Men also secured their first win of the EHL Conference North 24/25 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wakefield.

Rhydding awarded youngster Sam Dixon with his first inclusion this season in the matchday squad.

In a tight game, clear cut chances were at a premium and the game was dominated by two disciplined and structured deep defences. Rhydding came close in the first half when Jez Notay hit the post from a penalty corner.

The first quarter saw a lot of pressure from the Wakefield forwards but they were not able to make that pressure count, while the second quarter saw more pressure from the Rhydding forwards and at least four good goal scoring chances - but alas no goals.

Ben Rhydding scored their goal during the third quarter and on the 40th minute, when Max Helme converted a penalty corner from close range.

Oli Yates secured the penalty corner by finding a defender’s foot in the circle, following a flowing move and some strong ball carry down the right-hand side of the pitch.

Ed Snelling was in good form in the Rhydding goal and was supported superbly by his defensive unit, consisting of Myles Locke, Matt Birch, Luke Lambert, Dave McCollum and Wil Jones.

Rhydding make the short trip to Weetwood this Sunday when they play local rivals Leeds in a 2:00 pm kick-off.