Hockey: Duff bridges divide as North claim title

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Louise Thomas

Editor

JOANNE DUFF, the Loughborough Students' sweeper, set North on the way to their first Women's Under-21 title with a first-minute penalty corner strike as they overcame the holders, Midlands, 3-2 at Milton Keynes yesterday.

The match should have been over when, in the 17th minute, Clare Hesslewood added a second for North, but Kate O'Riley pulled one back from a penalty stroke. Sally Wright scored a South equaliser seven minutes into the second half but North's winner came from Sandeep Kaur in the 57th minute.

Midlands had flattered to deceive earlier when they were held to a 1- 1 draw with West. O'Riley put them ahead with Nina Emery equalising midway through the second half.

Also earlier, South had overcome a two-goal deficit to draw 3-3 with North in an exciting game in which their goalkeeper, Beth Storry, had been outstanding. South earned their only victory over West thanks to a Vicky Goodacre goal.