Henley Ladies 1s faced another unknown opposition in their quest for league dominance this season - a young and spritely university side! This season, however, Henley have a squad with great depth and a variety of both youth and experience to draw on and the new squad is really beginning to show signs of gelling well.

The first half began with Henley changing ends to look into the lowering sun and goalkeeper Robyn Smith, retuning for her first match post heart surgery, was called into action fairly early on when somewhat against the run of play she faced a 1 on 1, where despite an impressive dive, the student side managed to slot the ball home. This was the ‘kick' that the Henley side perhaps needed though to begin converting some opportunities. The first goal came when Lucy Jean Jean drove the ball goalwards for striker Georgie Metcalfe to touch in at the far post. Henley continued to pressure the away side and after winning a penalty corner, in a change to the chosen routine, Rachel Herbert slipped the ball right from the top to Metcalfe, who was able to fire the ball home with a deadly slap.

In the second half, Henley looked to extend their lead. Youngsters Caitlin Barass and Emma Jean Jean provided many circle penetrations using both their pace and 3D skills, and causing the students no end of problems. It was after one of these that the ball was crossed to the ideally positioned Emma JJ for a birthday goal at the back post. The final confirmation came from captain Charlotte Hetherington who, following a goal mouth scramble involving many players, found the ball on the end of her stick. She turned to her reverse stick side - and blocking out the cries of coach Rhys Joyce, she shovelled the ball into the back of the net with a classic CC dig (for which she was duly subbed!). Another positive performance and another 3 points secure for the Henley side.