North Division League

BAC 1 Wotton-under-Edge 1

WHEN Robert Louis Stevenson hatched the plot for Jekyll and Hyde, he might have been a recent watcher of Wotton Ladies hockey.

Last week saw them put in a thrilling performance against very strong opposition with the team looking in the best shape ever.

But there was little sign of it on Saturday morning when they travelled to Filton to take on a much less formidable BAC side.

It was a very chilly morning with a biting wind and low sun shining directly in line with the goals.

Wotton generously agreed to a delayed start as the BAC ‘keeper was unable to get to the pitch and the game started without her.

Whether it was the delay, the cold, the visibility or the desperation to capitalise on the weakened opposition cannot be said, but Wotton lacked coordination, determination and all the spirit that had carried them the previous week.

The ‘keeper arrived after 15 minutes and Wotton had scarcely entered the BAC circle in that time. After a few more minutes BAC, playing into the dazzling sun scored a breakaway goal and added to Wotton’s developing sense of ineffectuality.

It was time for an inspirational team talk but the gothic horror story was the same after the break.

Wotton looked under pressure for most of the half, but, gradually some of the grit returned – and for the final 15 minutes, Mr Hyde’s potion wore off and Dr Jekyll began to reappear.

In the closing minutes and on their third consecutive penalty corner, Wotton clinched the draw with Lauren Jones crashing in a shot that hit the back board with a resounding thud.

This could have easily been another disappointing failure against not-the-strongest opposition and the skills of Becky Jones, Cathy York and Myra Patterson in defence were crucial to keeping the scoreline with reach.