Ben Rhydding Men’s 1sts 2 Leeds University 1sts 0

Ben Rhydding were delighted to make a great start to their North Premier League campaign with a win a tough opening fixture.

The home side looked in control from the outset and began to work the ball around the pitch with grace and ease.

Leeds were quick on the counter attack and gave Rhydding the opportunity to demonstrate some of their defensive strategies and gave keeper Dave Carter the chance to make some fine saves as he faced three penalty corners.

His efforts enabled him to become the only keeper to keep a cleansheet in the opening day’s league games.

Relentless running from the forwards created space and passing lanes.

Alex White, always close in support found the ball fall to him at the top of the D and slapped it high toward the cross bar only to see a Leeds player swipe at it over his head and bring it down.

The umpire played advantage and Luke Lambert mopped up and slotted the ball in to put Rhydding deservedly ahead.

Steve Mitchell was enjoying a fine game at left back and made many tackles on his reverse at full stretch.

The defence patiently soaked up everything that was thrown at them while Neil Sugden was sublime at centre half, floating, collecting and sending good quality ball out throughout the game.

Rhydding had the upper hand for most of the match but the Leeds keeper, kept them guessing for far too long.

The final 15 minutes saw the Rhydding forwards take control and the connections between them were a joy to watch.

Struan Connor repeatedly made great use of his searing power going forwards and Sam French crashed his way through relentless attempts to break down play. Eventually Ben Rhydding got their reward.

Joe Dowley broke through two lines and unselfishly chose not to deliver his signature reverse shot but slid it through to French who produced an immaculate delivery to slam the into the backboard and crush any hopes of a Leeds recovery.

Ben Rhydding face two matches this weekend at Timperley on Saturday and home to preston on Sunday as they aim to build on their good start A 2-0 win in the first league game was a well-deserved result and holds promise for the weeks ahead.

The men’s third team edged a 5-4 win over Adel Carnegie thanks to goals from Mat Timperley (2), Neil Horsman, Dave Cutter, and Noble.

The fifth and sixth teams met with the fifths just edging a 1-0 win with a goal by Wilstrop.

Andrew Lorimer’s second-half goal earned the sevenths a 1-1 draw with Boston Spa.