ON Sunday Brecon Ladies Hockey team played their much anticipated final game of the season.

For the ladies, it was all to play for. A win or draw would secure their position in the Division 1 league, but a loss would mean relegation to Division 2. In an unlikely scenario, Abergavenny 1sts, the Ladies opposition were in a similar position, with their team needing to bring home a win to avoid relegation and keep their place in the higher league.

Unsurprisingly, the game drew in a sideline full of supporting spectators from both teams. Abergavenny won first push back, and holding possession well, they were also the first to put a goal onto the score sheet.

The goal seemed to be the wake-up call the home team needed, and the girls stepped up their game and switched to attack.

The young forwards, who have grown so much in both skill and confidence throughout the season were undaunted by the oppositions defence, and working well as a team, they began to apply pressure to Abergavenny.

An attack from Hannah Mills saw the girls awarded a short corner. This was the chance they needed to even the score. The ball was passed straight to captain, Bethany Bufton, who slipped the ball left to Hannah Mills. A deflected save from Abergavenny’s goal keeper was swept up by Anna Prothero, and neatly slipped into the goal by Olivia Mills. The score was even again.

Brecon continued to apply pressure in attack, with Hannah Williams giving a sterling performance as centre forward.

Though Brecon were awarded short-corners, they failed to convert to a goal before the half time whistle blew, leaving the half time score as 1-1.

Although the girls knew a draw was enough for them, with another 35 minutes of play, they knew they were far from safe. Abergavenny instantly began to apply the pressure, and it was a fast break from the away team that slipped through Brecon’s defence to allow them to take the lead. Perhaps more determined, Brecon dug deep and again switched to the attack. Again, they were awarded a short corner. Due to their near misses in the first half, the girls switched tactics, and brought up sweeper, Sally Spencer to take a direct strike at goal. Sally hit the ball directly between the goal keepers pads to even the score to 2-2.

Enthused by their goal Brecon increased the pressure on Abergavenny’s defence. A third goal came from Jenny Phillips, who swept the ball from the right, across the goal and into the left corner. The girls had a 3-2 lead.

Abergavenny though were quick to retaliate. With less than 10 minutes left on the clock, they too had all to play for. Brecon’s goal keeper Megan Thomas made some excellent saves that held the home team’s lead. However, it was a break from the away team, and a scuffle inside the circle which saw the ball raised into the top left of the goal, just out of Meg’s reach. The score was 3-3.

With time running out, Brecon knew they had to hold up the play and keep possession. With much encouragement from their sideline supporters, this was exactly what they did. It was a triumphant sigh of relief for the home team when the final whistle blew. A tense and exciting game throughout, every player on the pitch gave 100% to put in what was an outstanding team performance, and a great game to watch. Player of the match was awarded to Anna Prothero in midfield.

The girls have had a trying season, but have grown in strength as a team throughout. Their determination to succeed secured their position in Division 1, and the girls are looking forward to what next season may have in store!

The girls would like to say a special thanks to James Dean Estate Agents and Select Security Specialists for sponsoring the Ladies kit, and many thanks to the Wellington Hotel for providing post match teas. If you are interested in joining the Ladies next season, training will begin again in September (details posted on the Brecon Hockey Facebook page).