SALISBURY Ladies’ first hockey team are ten points clear at the top of the West Women’s League after a 2-0 win over Bretforton – the only club to have beaten them this season.

The result coincided with all three teams below them in the Premier Division 2A log, including Bretforton, losing their opening games of the new year, writes Mike Vimpany.

Skipper Kate Behan described it as a “perfect start” – one which Salisbury will be eager to build on at lowly Gloucester on Saturday.

Bretforton beat Salisbury in their opening match last September 4-3 and, though Behan’s girls played some fine first half hockey, the Bemerton table-toppers owed much to goalkeeper Louise Davidson for pulling off a string of fine saves.

It looked as though Salisbury would turn around 0-0 at halftime, but just before the break they grabbed the lead from a Kerry McCollum penalty corner.

Tilda Hewitt doubled Salisbury’s lead after a fine team move but Bretforton refused to give up and when Claire Hobbs was sin-binned the city girls had to dig deep before the points were assured.