A National League Hockey Club, part of Holcombeians Sports Club

Match report – Harleston Magpies 1-6 W1s (Vitality Division One South, 21st October, 2023)

By Lucas Ball

Holcombe made it four wins from five Vitality Division One South wins and three consecutive victories as they beat strugglers Harleston Magpies 6-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Following home wins over Sevenoaks and Slough, Nick Bandurak’s side travelled to Suffolk looking for their second away win of the season, previously beating Southgate and losing to Surbiton 2s on the road.

Lucy Whalley, Emma Bandurak (2), Lottie Bingham and Deanna Ritchie (2) were all on the scoresheet to make it 12 goals in their last three matches for Holcombe.

The away side took a first-quarter lead through summer signing Whalley, who scored her first goal for the club from open play, but the hosts were level before the end of the first period.

Bandurak re-established Holcombe’s lead in the second quarter from a penalty stroke before Bingham doubled the advantage heading into half-time.

The dominance continued in the third quarter as New Zealand international Ritchie scored her fourth and then fifth goals in the last two matches.

Bandurak added another goal from the penalty spot in the final period.

Holcombe remain second in the table ahead of next week’s cup match away to Conference West side Trojans. They are back in league action against Team Bath Buccaneers on Saturday, 4th November.