The Bay batter Ben Rhydding

The Bay made it 3 wins out of 3 when they travelled to Yorkshire to see off newly promoted side Ben Rhydding HC. A brace from Chris Traynor took his tally to 6 goals in 3 games this season and Jonathan Stoddart got in on the act himself with his own double, as WBTHC went top of the table.

If WBTHC were to consider themselves serious contenders for the league this season being able to pick up maximum points against the newly promoted teams was a must. A big change in WBTHC's performances this season has been the speed they have been able to start each game and like the two before it they started this one brightly again.
WBTHC showed some early positive signs of what was to come as they got down the Yorkshire men's flanks with both Simon Miles and Alex Flynn charging down the lines. It wasn't long until this had paid dividends as a cut-back ball was well saved by the Rhydding keeper, but the prolific Traynor was on hand to dispatch the rebound high into the roof of the net. A goal to settle the nerves early on.
Although WBTHC dominated the possession throughout the 2nd half they were unable to find another goal from open play or a multitude of penalty corners. Rhydding did offer a threat on the counter attack, however young goalkeeper Jordan Thompson was equal to and more than anything they could throw at him. As the half time whistle went at least the Yorkshire men could take solace that although only seeing short periods of the ball they were still only 1 goal down and still in the game.

As the 2nd half got under way WBTHC came back out with purpose and pressed Rhydding high up the pitch. A steal from Alex Lockey unleashed fellow forward Andrew Titmus and he dribbled his way into the box past many a hard challenge to develop a shot on the Rhydding goal, again the shot was saved and again Traynor was on hand, this time slapping the ball into the empty net to make it 0-2.
The press didn't let up from the Northumberland side as they continued to probe Ben Rhydding's defence and even when Rhydding managed to get into WBTHC's half it led to their detriment, as WBTHC broke on the counter and put away their 3rd goal of the afternoon. Again Lockey was on the charge as he found Steven Hill on the edge of the "D", who in turn fed Stoddart with a cheeky back flick, who drove the ball low into the Rhydding goal.
Rhydding's discipline broke at this point, as they committed more and more men forward desperately searching for a goal in reply. However again this resulted in WBTHC being able to sit back and hit on the counter attack. This time Traynor was back defending in his own "D", as he picked up a loose ball he slung a disguised 70 yard pass through to the WBTHC forward line and they won an open sprint race against Rhydding's defence. The proceeding 2 on 1 with the goalkeeper was dispatched nicely as the ball was passed around him and slapped neatly into the unguarded goal and at this point there was no way back for Rhydding.

On Saturday WBTHC will face their first major test as they host Sheffield University Bankers, a side who will also be wanting to challenging for this seasons Premier Division 1 title.