Hockey: Merrigan has spot of trouble

MARIA MERRIGAN, an influential presence in the Midlands' 4-1 win against the East on Tuesday, yesterday fared less well in the Women's Under-21 Territorial Tournament at Swindon, writes Bill Colwill.

In their 1-1 draw against the North - after an early goal from Sam Price - Midlands were awarded a penalty stroke when Lucy Newcombe was bundled off the ball. The attempt by Merrigan, a late replacement in the Midlands' squad, went high and wide. A late equaliser from Martine Brown and the spoils were shared.

Not all was lost for Midlands when West, the overnight leaders, were held to a goalless draw by the much improved East, who earlier in the day had beaten South 4-0 with two goals from Nikki Litchfield and one each from Melanie Clewlow and Amanda Wood.

For the South, the goalkeeper Karen Clark made a series of brave saves but received little support from a hesitant defence.

WOMEN'S U-21 TERRITORIAL TOURNAMENT (Swindon) Second day: East 4 South 0; Midlands 1 North 1; West 0 East 0; South 2 North 0 (abandoned, bad light 55 min; result stands). Standings: 1 West (P 3 Pts 7); 2 Midlands (2-4); 3 East (3-4); 4 South (3-3); 5 North (3-1).