Jean Fitch
7 April, 2025
Sport

Bedford Hockey Club Women head to national finals

A victory in the semi-finals of England Hockey's Masters Club Championships secures Bedford Hockey Club's Women's Over 45s a place in the Plate finals at Lee Valley Hockey Stadium.

WO45s finalists

The journey to the finals saw Bedford open their run with a standout, 9-0, performance against Blueharts, before falling foul of St Albans, sending Bedford into the Plate competition, where they began with a 14-0 victory over Broxbourne.

The next round brought Bedford face-to-face with Rugby & East Warwickshire, a game which ended in a 2-all stalemate, being won by Bedford, 3-1, at a penalty shoot-out.

It was a 3-0 win over Sevenoaks which took Bedford into the semi-finals, where they took on Taunton Vale.

Bedford take the lead
Bedford take the lead Credit: Jean Fitch

Bedford made a dominant start, several shots on goal being blocked by Taunton’s England Masters’ International keeper, but it was Taunton who took the lead with ten minutes to play in the first half. The lead was short-lived, however, Bedford pulling the scores level again, from a Penalty Corner at the half-time whistle.

Bedford’s lead came 8 minutes into the second half, followed up by a third goal on the 60th minute mark. A late goal by Taunton, with 2 minutes left on the clock, brought a tense finish, but Bedford held their 3-2 lead to take their place in the finals.

The squad will have to wait until next Saturday to find out who they will be meeting but know it will be either Epsom or Harrogate.

The finals will take place on the 3rd of May.