Timperley Women crowned North champions
TIMPERLEY have made history by winning the Women's North
of England Premier League.
The Stockport Road club needed a win or a draw at home to
fellow title-chasers Stockport yesterday - and in a tense
finale to the season they held on to draw 4-4 to secure well-deserved
domestic honours.
England ace Ailsa Stott was a hat-trick hero and Liz Martin
hit the target as Timperley led 4-1 at half-time, before arch-rivals
Stockport levelled thanks to goal from Jenny Taylor (2), Kari
Jones and Helena Zuppinger, which left a nerve-jangling finish.
"We must have had 20 shots on goal in the second half,
but we just couldn't hit the target," said jubilant Timperley
captain Katherine Burgess. "Thankfully we held on - it
was a great match."
Burgess' team have not lost in 14 outings this term, with
13 victories which finally left them one point above Stockport
at the summit.
"Steely grit and determination has won us the title,"
added Burgess. "It's a fitting end to the season to have
won the league. Our fitness has paid off this year and I'm
delighted for everyone involved with the team, and the club
as well."
Heaton Mersey, who have won the league title for the last
three seasons, defeated Wirral 6-2 in their last match of
the season and finish third.
Timperley's men will meet Sheffield Steelers in the quarter
finals of the Lancashire Cup after they thumped another South
Yorkshire side, Sheffield University, 19-3.
Former skipper and influential midfielder Robert Macklin top-scored
with eight goals, with Ben Hutchinson (3), John Hammond (3),
James Shuttleworth (2), James Wilbraham and Andy Davis also
on the scoresheet as the home side led 4-0, 10-2 and 13-2.
Last year's beaten finalists Manchester Waconians also progressed
to the semi finals stages courtesy of a 13-6 victory away
to Boardman & Eccles.
The Wilmslow Road side will play Rochdale in the last 8 thanks
to four goals from England midfielder Tom Caplin and hat-tricks
from Kevin Ryan and Dominic Fitzgerald condemned Boardman
to defeat.
Defending champions Mellor A with play Ashton-under-Lyne in
a repeat of last year's Stockport Cup final, while Brooklands
Hulmeians B face Wilmslow A in the Nigel Wayne Trophy hoping
to win a second title in as many seasons.
This year's David Beesley Cup final will be contested between
Cheadle B, who defeated last year's winners Sheffield Steelers
A 10-6, and Manchester Waconians B, who triumphed 10-9 in
a close affair with Poynton A.
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