On a grey drizzly morning the sun broke through in the form of an array of dazzling talent on display in Carlisle 2s encounter with their more junior Development team.

Played in a free spirit with the absence of cynicism skills were allowed to flourish and demonstrated that the future of Carlisle hockey is radiantly bright.

Carlisle 2s are deservedly leading North West Division 3 North, whilst the Development team have been steadily improving from week to week.

As expected Carlisle 2s started strongly and asserted themselves from the first whistle with Freya Hodgson on the right wing much in evidence, but Judith Graham in the Development team’s rearguard held her ground to keep Freya honest.

With the Carlisle 2s leading scorer Katie Walker-Small well shackled by Anna Thompson from the Development team, they had to find another route to goal. This came in the form of midfielder Nic Heeley, who twice ghosted into the circle to finish off slick passing moves.

The Development team produced their own incursions into opposition territory through the dynamic darting runs of Abbie Smith and the off the cuff combination interchanges of Minnie Jackson and Thalia Kasiera.

Just before half time on one of their forays into the opponent’s circle, the Development team hit pay dirt when a shot from Thalia was conveniently deflected into her own goal by defender Bella Kerr. Thank you very much! Score 2-1 at the interval.

This encouraged and greatly enthused the Development team, whose confidence soared and they began the half dominating the play. They were, however, vulnerable to the swift counter attack. Mention ‘swift’ and enter rapid Rose Dunning who left the Development team’s defense trailing in her wake on two occasions to put the 2s 4-1 up.

But the game was far from over. As the Development team had an increasing amount of the ball, they forced several short corners. Enter Olivia Palmer! She scored from a direct strike and scored again from a short corner strike which Meredith Kerr could only help over her own goal line. (It runs in the family!) 4-3.

The Development team were creating chances to equalize, with Minnie Jackson going close on a number of occasions accompanied by a strange whooping sound. The 2s were living dangerously.

Second Team Captain, Debs Dunning, stepped up to calm nerves and literally stepping forward into attack to set up Grace Heaney to fire home a fifth goal to make the final score 5-3.

Congratulations to our Player of the Match this week Olivia Palmer, and thank you to our Player of the Match sponsor NFU Mutual, Carlisle.

A huge thank you to our team sponsor also, The Fryery, for supporting us this season.