Swansea HC Ladies 1st XI were excited as the departed early on Saturday morning to travel to London, Wimbledon to play their first match of the season in the English Premier National league in doing so becoming the first welsh club, men of women to play in the top division. It has been a long time since the team last played, beating Durham to go top of the Division 1 North national league and with everything that has gone on in the world being crowned Champions.

The team met at the stunning surroundings of the Voco Hotel, part of the Madejski Stadium where the team were able to rub shoulders with Reading football team whilst enjoying a lovely athlete lunch. On into the big smoke and the joy of London traffic and Satnav fun. We are very grateful to the hard work both at Swansea, Wimbledon and England hockey which allowed this match to go ahead.

The new team with a new structure struggled to settle in the first quarter against a quality opposition and went behind from a well worked goal from Wimbledon’s forward. Quality saves by Amie Richards in goal and a fine goal line stop from Beth Wood. Swansea after regrouping grew into the game and put pressure on the opposition but couldn’t find a way to the goal and conceded a late goal just before half time.

The second half saw Swansea change their attitude and really pressure Wimbledon’s defensive set up. Good runs by Betsan Thomas as well as Jorj Pitts started to create problems but the shooting opportunities still didn’t come. Against the run of play Wimbledon scored off a deflected penalty corner. Swansea continued to pressure in the final quarter but were unable to score even when a chance fell to one of the US debutants Katie Thompson with the reverse stick shot going just past the post. A final goal from a penalty stroke meant the final score was 4-0 to Wimbledon.

After the game debutants Beth Wood, Becks Treharne, Maddy Conklin, Ally Christopher and Katie Thompson were awarded their Swan for their first National league performance.

Overall the squad will be slightly disappointed with the outcome of the game and feel that they can offer some much more. A tough week of training will lead into the first home match of the season v Holcombe.