Firsts lose but others net wins

They were very poor for the opening five minutes, unforced errors allowing Tykes a 7-0 lead.

Some sprints from wing attack Jess Brearley and good interceptions from goal attack Sophia Boothroyd helped reduced the deficit to four goals,

Brearley moved to her usual position at centre but Calderdale struggled to break the Tykes defence and the gap increased to eight goals.

Carolyne Baldwin moved to centre for the third quarter and brought a calm to the mid-court but Calderdale’s player of the match Sue Seymour sustained an ankle injury and was replaced in defence by Roxy Rothery.

Calderdale’s structure improved in the final quarter but it was too late. Boothroyd also had to go off after a nasty challenge.

Calderdale need to re-group before Saturday’s game against leaders Hi-Tech.

Calderdale seconds strengthened their position at the top of Division One with a runaway 54-25 success over bottom side Portland while second-placed Morrisons were beaten.

A close first quarter finished with Calderdale 12-7 up.

In the second and third quarters, Calderdale shooters Paula Hird, Laura Kennedy and Gail Gledhill kept their composure to extend the lead.

Lisa Lund, Sarah Heaton and Gillian Coldwell provided consistent and effective support from mid-court.

Louise Stones and Clare Hunt-Brown defended hard, the latter sharing player of the match honours with shooter Paula Hird.

Calderdale thirds ended a four-match losing streak with a great 50-13 derby victory over Yorkshire Brods in Division Three.

They made a swift start, aided by fantastic feeds from Jo Hall and Luci Hinch and quality interceptions by Kay Hollingworth.

Returning shooter Beth Pollard, playing alongside the experienced Pauline Williamson, sunk her shots with ease.

Louise Berry marked the Brods goal shooter and won possession as Calderdale built an incredible 16-3 lead in the first quarter.

Brods tightened their defence but goal defence Jess Maloney made some fierce interceptions. Hinch supported the attack and defence well and Hannah Godfrey marked tightly as Calderdale reached the half-way stage 26-5 up.

Player of the match Pollard pushed on the score and Godfrey, now at goal keeper, pinned herself to the goal shooterand showed great strength as Calderdale’ moved out to 38-8.

Brods had a better final quarter, putting extra pressure on Calderdale’s defensive unit of Maloney, Godfrey and Hollingworth but it was too little too late.