Coach tipping Moonraker ladies to reach the top (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Coach tipping Moonraker ladies to reach the top

9:39am Thursday 22nd January 2009

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Hockey: Devizes Ladies coach Ollie Smith is tipping his women to become just as successful as the club’s men after their sparkling start to the season.

A hat-trick from Sharon Holloway and Jo Catling’s strike fired Devizes Ladies to a 4-2 victory at Lansdown on Saturday, cementing their third place in the North Division.

And the ladies’ second team thrashed Melksham 7-0 at the weekend to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season in Wessex Division Two.

Smith, who plays for the men’s first team, feels the women’s section is really taking off.

He said: “The ladies’ first team are third in the league and they are playing some good, positive attacking hockey.

“The second team are top and the third team are second, so it all looks very promising for the future.

“I took over as coach last year and the standard began to improve then.

“All the players listen and learn and they have a winning mentality like the club’s men’s teams now.

“Certainly there’s progression as most of the ladies’ teams are looking for promotion.”

Devizes Ladies were drawing 0-0 at Lansdown at half-time on Saturday before a second half goal spree secured them the win.

Smith said: “It was hard work in the first half but as the game progressed they gained more confidence and ultimately got in the right positions to score.

“Sharon has been the main goal scorer but there is a good mix of young and experienced players.”

n DEVIZES’ men secured joint third place in the England Hockey Indoor Trophy six-a-side tournament at the weekend.

They beat Wakefield 3-1 and Harbourne 7-3 but lost 3-1 to winners Chelmsford and 5-1 to runners-up Leek.

Chairman Toby Brown said: “It’s a good achievement because the two teams who finished above them are in the National League.”

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