Zimbabwe recruit hits hat-trick

THE Ship & Crown Puffins continued the defence of their hockeyleague title in fine style with a 6-0 defeat of Vixens last weekend.

Puffins had got the better of AP Group Panthers by the same score in their first Investec Women's Division One game of the season the previous Saturday.

Their latest victory came courtesy of a hat-trick from Zimbabwean Debbie Wilson, two goals from forward Tracey Powell and one from Sam Le Marquand.

'We played really well, attacking and defending as a team,' said Puffins co-captain Gemma Duport.

'Vixens never let their heads drop and they had some very young players who battled really well. Our attackers had a lot of possession and linked well with the midfield.

'I don't think you could single out a player as it was a real team performance.'

Vixens' captain Caroline Matthews was pleased with her young team's performance.

She picked out Ladies' College's Megan Renouf and goalkeeper Hannah Coutu for special mention.

'For most of our junior players this was only their second game in the ladies league and, with improvements, already the team are set to get stronger and stronger throughout the season,' said Matthews.