Shropshire ladies hockey pictures

New-look Whitchurch Ladies believe they are making steady progress – despite a second successive heavy home defeat.

The north Shropshire women have dropped to the bottom of the Cheshire Women's League division one after going down 7-2 at home to Sale on Saturday.

That followed on from an 11-0 drubbing at home to Neston South Wirral two weeks earlier – though they can take heart from a creditable 2-2 draw at Oxton sandwiched in between.

And they showed encouraging signs against Sale that can give them hope for this weekend's trips to take on Bowdon thirds.

They were 3-1 down at half-time on Saturday, Lauren Chapman scoring the home goal from a goalmouth melee.

A fightback looked on when Rachel Davies made it two at the start of the second half, but Sale's superior passing told as they notched up four more goals.

Meanwhile, Welshpool and Newtown both boasted 100 per cent records in the North Wales Women's League division one – so something had to give in the league cup.

And it was Newtown who came out on top at Maldwyn Leisure Centre, claiming a 4-0 victory.

Oswestry Ladies got back to winning ways with a 5-0 thrashing of Bebington.

Deb Jones opened and closed the scoring for the border women on a baking hot day, with Lisa Bladen, Sandra Jones and Sarah Lowe also getting in on the act.

They have a tough test on Saturday though, travelling to face Alderley Edge thirds – who sit one place above them in the table by virtue of a better goal difference.

Oswestry did the double over Alderley Edge as the two sides got promoted together last season.

But their squad is depleted this time, with skipper Lisa Bladen unavailable and youngsters Kate Roberts and Becky Duxbury doing Duke of Edinburgh awards.