HUDDERSFIELD Dragons Ladies knew they had to play the game of their lives to stand a chance against top-of-the-table Durham – and the task proved too much as they lost 4-1.

With both teams battling hard, Durham struck first before Dragons hit back and, following some excellent link-up play between Thomas and Fillingham, Thomas found the back of the net for the much-deserved equaliser.

Going into the second half at 1-1 gave the Dragons the confidence they needed to lift their game again and go for a second goal, but Durham were awarded a penalty flick, much to the home team’s bemusement. However, goalkeeper Creedon stood her ground and made an amazing save.

Sadly, Huddersfield struggled with the increasing Durham pressure and found themselves 4-1 down within a 15-minute spell, taking the game well and truly out of their reach.

Team: Creedon, Gerrard, Higginbottom, Smeaton, Benson, Longstaff, Fillingham, Maddaford, Thomas, Hough, Durrans, Dobson

Huddersfield Dragons I 1

Lancaster I 3

DRAGONS looked to bounce back from their disappointment against Durham, as well as gaining much-needed points to steer them away from the relegation zone, but they came unstuck against second-placed Lancaster.

Once again they started brightly and strung together some strong attacking play, while Lancaster were limited to playing on the break which was often mopped up by the strong Dragons defence.

Unfortunately against the run of play and while Dragons were pushing for the opening goal, Lancaster broke through to give themselves the lead.

The home side fought back hard and earned themselves a penalty corner from which Longstaff deflected the ball into the goal, but Lancaster pushed again and regained the lead before half time.

The second half saw a resolute Dragons determined to get themselves back into the game, with some strong play from defence up to attack resulting in several penalty corners being awarded, which they were unable to convert.

The game was finally decided late on when Lancaster got another goal.

Team: Creedon, Gerrard, Higginbottom, Smeaton (Z), Benson, Longstaff, Fillingham, Maddaford, Thomas, Hough, Smeaton (A), Dobson, Smith, Dexter

Huddersfield Dragons II

THE Seconds were given a well deserved break when opponents Boston Spa were unable to field a team, giving Dragons two weeks to prepare for the all-important, promotion-deciding game against Tadcaster Magnets on April 10.

The winner will secure promotion to the Yorkshire Premier Division.

Meticulous planning by skipper Leanne Monchuk and hard work by the team at training in the couple of weeks will hopefully ensure Huddersfield gain the promotion they narrowly missed out on last year.

Dragons are hoping for as many spectators and supporters as possible to cheer them on in the 3pm kick-off.

Huddersfield Kirklees 2

Huddersfield Dragons III 1

THE third team didn’t have far to travel for their derby with Huddersfield Kirklees and had to face the home side without injured keeper Martin.

Dragons were on the attack from the start but it was the home team who opened the scoring after a break.

The visitors lacked some of their usual strong passing team play and while they continued to put on pressure, they couldn’t find the back of the net, while Kirklees continued to have their chances and it was from one of these that Dragons found themselves 2-0 down.

After a number of short corners and further attacks, Thomas managed to make it 2-1 leading into half-time, but although they stepped up their game in the second half, they were unable to net.

Team: Darwin, McCallum, Hamer, Roberts, Moorhouse, Gowing, Carter, Mallinson, Bailey, Fielding, Bates, Bland, Thomas.

MEN’S RESULT

Wakefield VI 0

Huddersfield Dragons V 3

THE men’s fifth team travelled to Wakefield for their final game of what has been a good overall season, with promotion just evading them.

After losing to table-toppers Bingley Bees, Huddersfield got back to playing some excellent passing hockey with Dales and Clarke up front peppering the Wakefield goal early on and winning a series of penalty corners without converting.

Pogson and Parkes in the midfield linked well but it was Brennan who opened the scoring with a shot on the turn from the edge of the D, and although Wakefield came close to an equaliser, hitting a post just before the interval, Huddersfield continued to press forward and dominated the game.

Maddock scored after a fine individual run with Clarke adding a third.