Harrogate Hockey Club Ladies 1s thrash Durham University Hockey Club to extend unbeaten start

Harrogate Hockey Club Ladies 1s extended their unbeaten start to the 2026/27 season into a seventh match when they thrashed Durham University 5s at the weekend.

Having suffered back-to-back relegations at the end of their two previous campaigns, Jaclyn Smith’s team hit the ground running this term, and have now won six games on the spin, collecting a total of 19 points from a possible 21 thus far.

It took until the 22nd minute of Saturday’s contest for the Yorkshire & North East Division One leaders to break the deadlock, Brook Allen firing home following a penalty corner.

The hosts then took full control of proceedings with two goals in the space of 60 seconds from Evelyn Wright and Anna Blyth.

Harriet Payne then made it 4-0 on 35 minutes, before Charlotte Crossman added number five shortly before the hour mark.

Durham did pull one back almost immediately, though that goal was to prove nothing more than a consolation strike.

Victory sees ‘Gate maintain their three-point advantage at the top of the table ahead of this Saturday’s derby clash away at Leeds 3s (1.30pm).

Harrogate’s Ladies 2s played out a 2-2 draw on the road at Phoenix 1s in Yorkshire Division One.

Natalie Turner’s second-minute goal got the visitors off to a flying start, and although the home side responded fairly quickly, Daisy Roberts restored ‘Gate’s lead after half an hour.

But, Phoenix hit back for a second time with time almost up to earn themselves a share of the spoils.

Next up for sixth-placed ‘Gate is a home showdown with University of Leeds 1s this Saturday (3pm).

Harrogate Men’s 1s saw their five-game unbeaten run ended by Durham University 3s in the Yorkshire & North East Premier Division.

The Ainsty Road outfit went down 3-0 on home turf, with that result leaving them in sixth spot heading into this Saturday’s fixture at Wakefield 1s (3.30pm).

Harrogate’s Men’s 2s slid into Yorkshire Division One’s bottom two after suffering a fifth loss in seven outings.

Promoted from Division Two as champions last season, Josh Lyon and his charges have found the going tough this term.

Saturday brought a 2-0 reverse at the hands of Slazenger 1s, leaving ‘Gate second from bottom of the pile with only four points to their name.

This Saturday, they entertain Wakefield 2s at Granby Hockey Centre (1.30pm).