On Saturday Beeston Ladies returned to Investec Womens Hockey League action from a winter break in conditions that perhaps made our usual British winter seem like a Mediterranean scorcher.

As the wind and rain battered down on the Nottingham Hockey Centre the Bees braved the elements to take the points against Clifton Robinsons as the team began 2020 with a 2-1 win which helps ease some pressures from those below in the table.

Two first half goals in as many minutes from first Alice Huddlestone then Courtney Schonell on her debut put Beeston 2-0 up before Claire Thomas pulled one back before half time, the home team eventually seeing out their advantage to take all the points and move above Bowdon to eighth in the league standings.

Storm Dennis wasn’t as forgiving for the men as their Premier Division match against Old Georgians was postponed yesterday but the U16 boys managed a 3-1 win at Stourport in the North West where the girls U16 also took victory in the rain 3-0 thanks to goals from Taylor, Croft and Acheson.

Next up now for the mens 1st XI’s is a mid table clash at home to Holcombe on Saturday whilst the women take on Loughborough Students away on the same day.

*Main image @OfficialBeeHC Courtney Schonell netted herself a debut goal.