HOCKEY :Midlands make smart start

Midlands opened strongly in defence of their Under-21

Territorial title at Abbeydale, Sheffield, yesterday when they beat the North 3-1.

Midlands scored from their fifth penalty corner a minute before the interval, Lucy Newcombe deflecting Kerry Taylor's shot into the roof of the net.

Early second-half goals from Jane Money and Jenny Bimson preceded a powerful run down the right by Rachel Doherty to provide a late consolation goal for Claire Bayliss.

Purdy Miller, with an 11th minute goal for East, gave her side an interval lead against West, who equalised through Kathryn James nine minutes into the second half. Sixteen-year-old Natalie Dearling, with a fortuitous penalty-corner goal restored East's lead with Miller collecting her second to put the game beyond doubt at 3-1.

North's 3-2 win against South, began with a spectacular second-minute lob from South's Kate Jordon, Joanne Holroyd equalised at a penalty corner in the 22nd minute with Doherty collecting a glorious pass from Bayliss to round the goalkeeper. Lyn Cockshott, South's captain, equalised before Michelle Liptrott bored her way through the South defence for victory.