England Ladies Masters v Wootton Bassett

On Saturday 11 April the England Ladies Masters hockey team played Wootton Bassett Ladies at Lime Kiln as part of the club's 50th anniversary celebrations.

A crowd of several hundred spectators and club members (past and present) basked in the April sunshine to watch the game. Founder member Ann Webb pushed the ball back to start the game, dressed in her original club kit and using a stick from 50 years ago (see photo below). Wootton Bassett were not overawed by the occasion and the superior pace of their younger players up front created numerous scoring chances, two of which were stylishly converted by Emma Collison and Suzanne Montgomery. The home side's defence held firm for the first 15 minutes but, despite a spectacular clearance off the goal line from Tracy Fieldsend, the visitors' slicker finishing in front of goal finally told and England ran out 6-2 winners.

After the game the England team joined club members for tea in the school restaurant and heard club chairman Pete Sammon thank all those that had made the day such a success. England coach Deb Wilkes told the audience they were pleased to participate in Wootton Bassett's celebrations and all the team appreciated the spirit in which the game was played. She congratulated Wootton Bassett on its first 50 years and looked forward even more success in the future. England Hockey representative Jan Baker then presented Ann Webb and Mary Harrison, two of the club's founder members, with England Ladies Masters honorary membership in recognition of their contribution to hockey over the last 50 years.

Click here  to view the souvenir 50th Anniversary Programme produced for the day.

11 April 2009