Blandford & Sturminster Ladies Hockey 5 – Andover 2s 3

By Hannah Waters

The second game of 2026 was another away game for Blandford and Sturminster Ladies, who played Andover 2s on Saturday. Blandford’s women journeyed to the game feeling quietly confident, as they were still unbeaten this season, with a 7-point lead at the top of the table.

Within the first three minutes of the game, captain Linda Smith managed to navigate the chaos of Andover’s D, and assisted Lyn Wood, who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, quickly making the score 1-0.

Blandford were awarded a couple of short corners, but Andover defended them successfully. A ball came from Susan Bovenizer in the midfield, who sent it to Smith. Smith swiped with a reverse hit to Wood in some beautiful team play, but Andover’s keeper managed to make the save.

In the twelfth minute, Blandford were awarded another short corner. Smith received the ball and passed it back to Bovenizer on the 22. Bovenizer returned it to Smith, who calmly shot it into goal, making the score 2-0.
Blandford continued to press Andover’s defence, with Chantelle Talbot taking a shot from right of Andover’s D. Unfortunately, her attempt was saved by the keeper. However, Blandford’s defence were not left out of an attack; in a two on one on Blandford’s goal, keeper Zena Parry dived to make the save. Parry was forced to make another two epic diving saves as Andover’s press started to become more direct.

As Blandford continued to battle, Parry was forced to make yet another save. However, the ball then hit a Blandford foot in the D. Most of the Andover team turned to the umpires, awaiting the decision for a short corner. But Andover’s right winger knew what playing to the whistle meant, and a hard hit from her put the score at 2-1.
Blandford did not let this phase them. Just five minutes later, Wood swept the ball in from a lovely cross from Laura Robinson, putting the score at 3-1.

The second half begun with a Blandford onslaught. They won a number of short corners, with Smith managing to convert and get a fourth goal.

Andover began to get desperate, and when Jenny Smith made a run through the middle of the pitch, she dealt with four stick tackles in quick succession. Blandford were awarded another short corner, and the Smith sisters, Jenny and Caroline, teamed up with mother, Linda, passing the ball between them until Caroline slapped the ball into goal. 5-1.

It was now Blandford’s job to defend. Despite Andover pressing relentlessly in an attempt to make up some ground on the scoreline, Blandford stayed strong, with Steph Chick putting in the block tackle of the century and keeper Parry performing the splits to ensure a save.

Andover managed to win a short corner, which was initially stopped by Susan. However, the second shot came like a bullet from Andover’s Carly Lambert, making the score 5-2. Two minutes later, Andover’s Sally Prior secured another converted corner.

The game finished 5-3, and though Andover put up a real fight near the end, Blandford and Sturminster Ladies are now on a ten-game winning streak. With Southampton 3s, who are second on the table, drawing their game, Blandford Ladies now have a 9 point buffer at the top of the table.