THE Blackburn Northern Hockey Club's Ladies team regained their winning ways as they thrashed Ben Rhydding 4-0 at Witton Park.

The scoring started only seven minutes from the opening whistle as Janet Jackson finally ended her scoring drought by slipping a skilful ball past the Ben Rhydding keeper from five yards out. Blackburn were all over the visitors in the opening half hour and Ben Rhydding had few, if any, real chances.

Blackburn's dominance was rewarded with another first half goal, this time coming from player of the match Laura Duffy. The home team went into half time with a confidence they've rarely felt this season, and carried it over into the second half.

After only four minutes Kay Gough finished off a superbly worked goal that started from the defence and was worked all the way up the right side of the pitch. Right wing Sally Finnemore put the final nail in Ben Rhyddings coffin with 10 minutes remaining and Blackburn truly relished their well-deserved victory. The ladies third team drew 2-2 against Rossendale, as newcomer Kirsten Heys made an immediate impact in her first game for the club. The men's first team gained their first point of the season as they drew 1-1 against Warrington Seconds. Warrington took the early lead by taking advantage of sloppy defensive play by Blackburn after just 10 minutes.

It turned out to be their only real chance of the game.

Blackburn rallied back however, and evened the score after Richard Lambert's skilful stickwork at the top of the D gave him a clean shot on goal. The Warrington goalkeeper had no chance to stop Lambert's rocket shot, and the game was all tied up.

Lambert had a golden opportunity to be Blackburn's two-goal hero as he was called upon in the second half to take a penalty stroke. His pathetic attempt offered no challenge for the Warrington keeper however, and the game ended in a draw. Blackburn were relieved to finally get a point, but really should have come away with a win.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.