2nd Nov 2019 Mens 1st v Whitley Bay & Tynemouth Mens 1s(Away) 6 - 2 win
An early start and a long journey did not show in the legs of Ben Rhydding as they convincingly bagged three points at Whitley Bay. Demonstrating some beautiful possession hockey, Rhydding put Bay on the back foot straight away. Will Musgrave thumped a magical corner away to open the scoring but Whitley replied immediately, slicing through and smashing home to level. Within seconds, Rhydding scored again, Matty Bairstow, bursting like a firework onto a dazzling Musgrave ball and beating the keeper to make it 2-1. In the safe hands of Matty Birch, another corner for Rhydding was despatched clinically to make it 3-1. Rhydding scored just before half time to put them in a secure position at 4-1; Fraser Arnott getting the ball towards goal and Matty Bairstow finishing it off.
Whitley Bay came out with all guns blazing in the second half and the game became chaotic and frantic, leading to a well taken counter attack for Whitley to claw back into the game. However,they were unable to sustain this furious pace and Rhydding settled back into the driving seat. Musgrave delivered two more stunning corners to take the score to 6-2 and out of reach. This puts Ben Rhydding just three points behind Durham University 2nds at the top of this league.