MINEHEAD Ladies hosted Bridgwater 1s in a fiercely contested hockey encounter which ended with both sides sharing the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw.

The game began at a high tempo, with both teams pushing hard for an early breakthrough. Minehead created the better openings in the first half, using quick movement to trouble the Bridgwater defence. Zoey Cape and Hannah Sparks were particularly prominent, linking well and forcing several defensive errors.

The breakthrough arrived after 20 minutes from a well-executed short corner. Zoe struck the ball firmly, and it took a crucial deflection off Amy to loop into the top corner, giving Minehead a deserved lead. Buoyed by the goal, Minehead dominated possession for the remainder of the first half, carving out several good chances. Unfortunately, they couldn't extend their advantage before the interval.

Bridgwater emerged for the second half with renewed purpose, ramping up the intensity. Their high press began to disrupt Minehead's rhythm, turning the contest into a more physical battle. Midway through the half, the visitors' pressure paid off as they found an equaliser to make it 1-1.

The game grew increasingly scrappy, with Bridgwater trying to turn it into a brawl picking up two yellow cards as frustrations boiled over. Despite the visitors' momentum, Minehead showed great resilience to hold firm. A standout moment came late on when Jess produced an excellent goal-line clearance to deny Bridgwater what would have been a dramatic winner.

The Lavender Hill Holidays player of the match went to keeper Jan for making several key saves to keep Minehead in the game.

Minehead Men's first team were involved in a top-of-the-table clash away at Bridgwater on Saturday, both teams sitting on 37 points.

The Seasiders went into the game feeling confident fielding a strong side, with a few returning players bolstering their ranks. The game began in a scrappy fashion, with the Bridgwater pitch playing slower than Minehead are used to at home and requiring an adjustment to shorter passes to be made.

Bridgwater took this opportunity to take the lead, but Minehead showed their resolve of which they've found plenty in the last weeks and soon Shane Heale scored from a short corner. Kyle Wheaton found a second against his former side to give Minehead the lead going into half time.

The Seasiders had adapted well to the game and there was little to be said at half time. Tthe second half saw them playing some much better hockey, and despite another Bridgwater goal at a short corner they remained in control, with Joe Notaro-Livingstone scoring two, and Wheaton finding another. A final score of 5-2 to Minehead see them sit three points ahead at the top of the table. Player of the match Chris Weetch.

The third team hosted Culm Valley Hornets in the late home fixture. The match started with the young Cullompton side rather setting the pace to create a frenetic period of end to end play.

The home side went ahead through Man of the Match Max Reed and some good play from Minehead saw Scott Fewings scoring a second.

Hornets pulled a goal back but another goal for Reed and a late score for Morris put the icing on the cake of an enjoyable 4-1 win to see Minehead climb to third in the League.